^5 




Class _ 
Book _. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



(^^ONICIiES 



OF JEoj^pil. 



BY V^ 






NORFOLK ; 

John W. Barcroft, Publisher, 



S3 Main Street. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S86, 

By JOHN W. BARCROFT, Norfolk, Va. 

In the OflBce of the Lihrarian of Congress, at Washington, 






INTRODUCTION. 



About the beginning of the second quarter of 
the eighteenth century, when we judge the fol- 
lowing extracts of the chronicles open, Spain had 
already been drained of the larger part of her 
boldest and most enterprising sons, who, led by 
the insatiable thirst for gold, had exhausted their 
energies in the wilderness of the new world ; and 
already had the national prosperity sunk helplessly 
in consequence of this diversion of enterprise from 
its legitimate, industrious and commercial pursuits. 
Spain, now with the empire and mines of a world, 
presented the marks of internal decay and of real 
poverty, her vigor was impaired, her character de- 
graded; the once proud blazonry of Castile y Leon 
had faded. 

Still the tide of emigration and adventure flowed 
onwards, though in a diminished current; and now 
that the El Dorados of Mexico and Peru had be- 
come monopolized to a considerable extent, later 
adventurers sought for newer fields, where as the 

3 



INTRODUCTION. ! 

first pioneers, they might hope to derive the greater 
advantages. 

Having premised this by way of introduction we 
shall proceed to give a free, yet fair rendition ol 
such portions of the chronicles as may prove of 
sufficient interest to the general reader. We deem 
it proper to state that we shall alter the ortho- 
graphy of proper names in the text wherever thit 
can be done with propriety to meet the require- 
ments of another language and the lapse of one 
hundred and fifty years : thus for Tanase, Vatoga, 
Ooueke, Quanasse, etc., we shall substitute Ten- 
nessee, Wautoga, Oowee, Hiwassee, etc. 

In conclusion, the regret may here be expressed 
that this work necessarily begins and ends abrupt- 
ly, for want of ampler material, and that many 
difficulties existed in the correct rendition of the 
text given. 



Gl|i^or|iclGS of Floi^ielq. 



BDDK I, 



CHAPTER 7. 

THE EXPEDITION TO CATENGEMA. 

'^P'iy esta tiemjjo, at this time, says the chroni- 
Ij r cler, a company was formed here (Pensacola) 



for the prosecution of mining operations 
among the high mountains which are situated 
about one hundred and fifty leagues towards the 
northeast. Having a perfect knowledge of all the 
material facts connected with the expedition that 
followed, I trust my friends will not blame me 
for digressing at this point of my narative, though 
what I am about to relate will be of some length. 
The person of most influence concerned in the 
business was Don Carlos de Lerida, a Catalan by 
birth, who in the indulgence of a wild career, had 



6 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

risked the forfeiture of his patrimony under a 
mortgage, which he was now anxious to redeem. 
With this intent, accompanied by an only son, he 
had crossed the sea — and like other noblemen — 
in the hope of soon amassing wealth. His original 
destination under a commission from the court had 
been for Mexico, but his views underwent a sudden 
change when the vessel in which he sailed touched 
here by the way to disembark some troops, some of 
the first that were sent since the French cession. 
He had no sooner landed than he heard of the 
existence of immense mines in the interior. This 
information struck the right chord of his heart, 
and he forthwith applied himself with ardour to 
procure all means necessary to enable him to reach 
the desired region. His informant was one Oli- 
viera Payez, a galley fugitive, an unprincipled 
braggart whose pompous speech and affected hero- 
ism covered the darkness and baseness of his 
purposes. 

For a few years previous to this time, Oliviera 
had enjoyed the patronage and admiration of the 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 7 

Senor Governor, whose own deficiency in all the 
qualities of true and generous bravery,incapacitated 
him from discriminating these from the mere froth 
of the bully. Oliviera then lodged at the palace, a 
constant attendant to echo his excellency's vain 
and silly boasts. Matters stood thus for aAvhile, 
till when under the influence of wine, in an un- 
lucky moment, Oliviera ventured to insinuate some 
decided doubts respecting one of Don Diego's 
vaunted exploits. The offence was unpardonable 
and to be rid of one whose presence had become 
undesirable, the Governor despatched him on a 
secret mission among the Indians to the northward 
— adding slyly, " that it suited a person of indom- 
itable valor to go there." He had been absent a 
considerable time after leaving Saint Augustine, 
when he suddenly reappeared at Pensacola. His 
object in unbosoming himself to Don Carlos was 
to secure in the enterprise one possessed of means 
and ability to set it afoot, also whose disconnection 
with the existing Governor was the more likely to 
yield the greater consideration to his informant 



8 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

and indispensible guide. Oliviera gave an extrava- 
gant account of the mineral wealth of that region, 
called by the natives Catengema, whose confines he 
had recently visited. Another Mexico, he repre- 
sented, rich in unappropriated mines and but 
thinly peopled, was ready for their possession. Nor 
were occular proofs wanting to stimulate still 
further the awakened cupidity of Don Carlos. 
Fourteen ounces of gold dust were exhibited and 
reported to have been collected from the surface 
in less than six weeks by an old Indian. In the 
eagerness of the moment, Don Carlos paused not to 
enquire whether the country had been sulBQciently 
reconoitered ; all he desired was to be led forthwith 
towards it. It will be seen presently that neither 
he nor Oliviera were altogether misled in his en- 
thusiasm. 

Fifty-seven persons having clandestinely en- 
listed, rendevouzed on the island of Santa Isidora, 
at the mouth of the Apalachicola, whither also 
were conveyed three larger boats, a few periauguas, 
a liberal supply of arms, ammunition, provisions. 



CHEOKICLES OF FLOEIDA. 9 

mining implements and articles of trade. Previ- 
ous to their embarkation, Don Carlos assumed the 
chief command and assisted by Oliviera and his 
son Don Pacheco, the first and second officers 
under him, proceeded to draw up articles for the 
government of the company, and to fix the shares 
in the enterprise, which received the sanction of all 
the rest of the adventurers who with but two excep- 
tions, deserve no particular notice in this place. 
These two had reached the point of rendevouz a 
few days before, on their route from the Santa Fe 
settlement to Pensacola. When the objects of the 
expedition were made known to them, together 
with an invitation to join it, with the intimation 
that they would in no case be allowed to resume 
their journey, they at last consented, but claimed 
no share or compensation for the services they 
were willing to render. The latter of these two 
named Teodoro, though poorly clad and deeply 
bronzed by a tropical sun, was remarkable for the 
high intellectual cast of his countenance. His 
commanding forehead, the piercing fire of his eye, ' 



10 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

the energy of his lips, united to prove him no or- 
dinary man, yet there were traces in his features of 
past care and trouble, things never to be obliter- 
ated quite from the memory or the outer man, but 
over all these prevailed, as a halo, the holy calm 
of resignation, internal peace, and unfeigned be- 
nevolence. Andreo, his companion, was a very 
personification of meekness and contentment, 
though of an intellectual order, inferior by nature 
and cultivation to Teodoro, his nice moral sense 
could scarcely be surpassed. He was also gifted 
with great strength, courage and power to endure 
excessive hardships and privations. He had a fa- 
vorite maxim : " That enmity in the heart was worse 
than a thousand enemies wiilioutr 

On Easter Monday, all things being in readiness, 
we (here the chronicler inadvertently shows that 
he also was present) commenced ascending the 
river in the boats. The neighboring Indians were 
at this time in league with the Government, and 
therefore friendly towards the Spaniards. Seizing 
upon this favorable circumstance Don Carlos had 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. H 

engaged the chief o£ the Talachy (Tallahassee) 
tribe with upwards of a hundred warriors to march 
along the left bank of the river as an escort to the 
few men who took care of the beasts of burthen 
belonging to the expedition, until they should 
reach the confines of the Muscogees. When they 
had proceeded about fifty leagues, they were threat- 
ened with a serious disaster, for Soquilla, a Creek 
{Cree in the original) chief, being informed that 
boats were ascending the river, accompanied by In- 
dians on the war path, had collected his warriors 
about a league below his village, for purpose of 
giving battle. The position of the Creeks on a 
thickly wooded promontory at a bend of the river, 
where of necessity the boat must hug close to the 
shore to avoid the main current, was admirably 
chosen for an effective discharge of arrows and to 
screen the Indian canoes from view, till the decisive 
moment should arrive for an advance, while at 
the same time an ambuscade was laid against the 
land force among the canebrakes. To the acute 
perception of the Talachy chief was due the timelv 



12 CHBONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

detection of danger ; for pausing suddenly on the 
march he declared they were watched by spies and 
ordered immediate preparation for battle. At a 
preconcerted signal Don Carlos repaired with the 
boats to the place where the halt had been made. 
Indian scouts were sent out in various directions, 
who finally confirmed the apprehensions of the 
chief. Meantime Soquilla, having found the plan 
of an ambuscade frustrated, came to the determi- 
nation to hold a parley. He therefore sent an In- 
dian down the river to communicate with the ex- 
pedition. Glad of a chance to avoid all collision 
the Spaniards received the messenger with joy, and 
sent him back with presents, and friendly assur- 
ances. This soon brought about a council, at 
which all smoked the calumet and partook of the 
black drink (a decoction of a species of holly) of 
nauseous taste, denied to all but warriors. Soquilla 
was so delighted with the present of a burning 
glass, fancifully set in false stones, by means of 
which he could draw fire from heaven, that he 
swore to conduct the expedition in person, to the 



CHKOKICLES OF PLOKIDA. 13 

mountains of Oatengema. Before doing so he en- 
treated the Spaniards to spend a few days with 
him at a village called Achitfca, a short distance 
west of the river. His invitation was cheerfully 
accepted under the assurance of a safe conduct for 
the rest of the journey. 

About the fifth week the navigation proved im- 
practicable and the boats were abandoned. The 
route thence extending overland though mainly 
along the banks of the same river. Soquilla's train 
generously assisted in transporting the. provisions 
and mining implements. Several villages lay in 
their way, of which Coweta was by far the most 
considerable. Here the Spaniards were received 
with marked hospitality, as indeed they were every- 
where, through the influence of Soquilla. Up to 
the village of Kesauke the company had proceeded 
entirely by direction of Oliviera; there however 
the question was debated whether the route should 
continue towards the northeast or turn due north. 
Oliviera contended for the latter because from that 



14 CHRON'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

point had come the specimen of gold which had 
first conjured up the expedition ; but the natives 
having displayed an entire ignorance of mines in 
the latter direction and spoken of the high moun- 
tains to the northeast where gold had been found, 
Don Carlos decided to preserve the general line of 
march. They had not gone far from the village 
when they entered one of the most charming re- 
gions of this continent, of forest-clad mountains 
and of fertile valleys, reposing in a balmy atmos- 
phere — a region whose wild and exhuberant beauty 
rose to view as fresh as when creation first burst 
into existence. 

They now reached the pass of Tulamassee, the 
approach to which is so gradual that one would 
scarcely know he was crossing a dividing ridge 
but for the fact of two rills issuing from the same 
source, a little morass at the summit, and running 
in opposite directions. At this point they were 
met by Hiantuga, the young war chief of the 
Cherokees (in the original Cherake, at times Che- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 15 

lake) who, in the midst of his followers, demanded 
the object of this visit to his country. Oliviera 
replied through a Creek interpreter that they were 
Spaniards, friends of the Indians and enemies to 
the English (who had a few years before spread 
havoc among the savages), and exhibiting offerings 
intended for the great chiefs, requested permission 
to search the mountains for gold. Hiantuga ap- 
peared quite satisfied. He invited them to proceed 
with him to Attinha, a town situated about five 
leagues below on the Tense (Tennessee) at which 
source they now were ; Soquilla and his escort being 
well remunerated by Don Carlos took leave to 
return home. 

Attinha or Itlah, for it was called by either 
name, is built on a hill, from the base of which 
a plain of small extent intervenes to the river 
bank. The village consists of a single roAv of 
lodges constructed of poles, mud and bark, of 
very humble appearance — but for its commanding 
site. In the center of the plain below rises a 
singular monument of earth, having a semi-cir- 



16 CHEOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 

cular base and flattened top. The use of this 
mound could not be ascertained as no tradition 
now existed to reveal its origin, only this — that 
it was of great antiquity. Here Don Carlos took 
formal possession of Catengema, in the name of 
the King, by planting the cross and displaying 
the banner of Spain. The mound was called the 
Star of Mary (Estrella de Sta. Maria). Tents were 
then erected and such military precautions taken 
as the situation required. In the meantime Don 
Carlos was invited to a talk with the great chiefs 
of that region, who, attended by the grandees in 
all the gaudiness of their warlike attire, had come 
down into the plain. Augichee, otherwise called 
Eion Augichee — or Drowning Bear — was venerable 
in appearance, though seventy winters had not 
bent his frame or impaired his vigor. Unlike his 
attendants he wore no ornaments except a few 
eagle feathers of uncommon length bound with a 
red fillet to his forehead, while a simple, though 
glossy, bearskin hung from his shoulders. Don 
Carlos having sent Oliviera in advance with pre- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 17 

sents for the chiefs to gain their good will, when 
he arrived he found the chiefs not only willing but 
eager to negotiate with people who had shown 
themselves so generous. The amiable disposition 
of the old chief, as events afterwards proved, was 
owing to higher motives, for being in advance of 
the intelligence of his race, he sought for know- 
ledge, and turned hopingly to the Spaniards as 
those likely to instruct them. No difficulty ensued 
in concluding a sort of a treaty on the terms dic- 
tated by Don Carlos. Full permission was ac- 
corded and guides tendered him for the exploration 
of the country. He received a liberal present of 
provisions, with the promise of continued supplies 
upon very moderate terms, and was allowed to 
make a settlement at any place not already appro- 
priated. With their affairs so favorably arranged, 
all that was immediately wanting by the Spaniards 
%as language to enlarge their intercourse with the 
people. In the lace conference the interpreter was 
a Cherokee who understood the Creek language, 
and was thus able to communicate with Oliviera 



18 CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 

and Don Carlos. In passing, it must be remarked 
that Oliviera had learned the language of signs 
whilst at the galleys, and was also so apt a linguist 
that a few days in his transition from tribe to tribe 
enabled him to acquire enough of the dialect to 
express himself intelligently. In the meantime a 
freshet came on and delayed a reconnoissance of 
the country for a few days. 

As Augichee demands our attention in this place 
I shall go back to relate some adventures connect- 
ed with his past career. When, by inheritance or 
natural ability, he had risen to the rank of a war 
chief, he immediately planned an attack on the 
Creeks. All attempts to dissuade him from this 
project were vain, and to such he opposed the 
claims of an hereditary grudge and the necessity 
he felt to show that his dignity was not unmerited. 
As it often happens, the young warriors who had 
never been in battle were warm in his support and 

had given him the token. 

********** 

Seeing matters at this pass, an old chief advised 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 19 

the mustering of the whole tribe before entering 
upon a war against so warlike a nation as the 
Creeks. This counsel was bitterly opposed by Au- 
gichee, because he was well aware how very averse 
that portion of the Cherokees in the immediate vi- 
cinity of the enemy were to a renewal of their 
feuds, and beside, he feared if other townships be- 
yond his influence were brought into the enter- 
prise, the command might fall into the hands of 
some older and more popular chieftain. He there- 
fore used every means and argument to keep the 
movement within his preconcerted plan. By well 
managed threats and promises he eventually won 
over all whose influence and aid were desirable, 
even the two chiefs of Oconorocto and Watauga 
(Vatoga) hastened to offer their services ; an offer 
doubly acceptable to Augichee, as he had hitherto 
looked upon them with suspicion, or as possible 
rivals for public favor. 

To attract as little attention as possible, five or 
six hundred warriors set out in the night. The 
month of August had been fixed upon for the cam- 



20 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

paign, because the maize then nearly ripe, stood 
ready in the fields to supply the foraging parties. 
The march was kept in single files with long inter- 
vals from man to man, with scouts in advance, and 
sentinels on the flanks. Whenever it was neces- 
sary runners kept up a constant communication 
between the front and rear. As they approached 
the confines of the Creeks, they marched only in 
the night, carefully avoiding every circumstance 
that might attract the attention of the enemy. 
The first irruption was in the night, a whole dis- 
trict and its villages were surprised, the people in- 
discriminately slaughtered and the dwellings laid 
in ashes. From this time scenes of disaster at- 
tended Augichee, which the bravery of his men 
and his own undaunted behaviour could not with- 
stand. The vengeance of the Creeks burnt fiercely 
after them. From river to river, from forest to 
forest, Augichee sternly and unrelentingly main- 
tained the war, but with a courage now bordering 
on despair. His force had now diminished to two or 
three hundred half famished wretches when he 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 21 

reached the fork of two large rivers, with the enemy 
in hot pursuit. A dark stormy night intervened as 
B, short respite from impending ruin. A leader of 
ordinary character, well knowing that the van- 
guished were devoted to certain death, seeing no 
means of escape, would have decided to rush in 
desperation on the foe and sell their lives at the 
highest price; but Augichee was of another stamp. 
That very day a Creek woman had thrown herself 
in his way, with the avowed purpose to claim pro- 
tection or fall beneath the tomahawk. She was 
the wife of a chief who had cruelly maltreated, then 
threatened her with divorce. The latter indignity 
in favor, too, of a rival, had so stung her into 
madness that she had attempted to kill him, but 
failing in this, she had escaped to the Oherokees. 
Her features were masculine, her person was tall, 
robust and of a haughty bearing. When Augichee 
had assured her of protection, she uttered these 
words in a solemn tone, " Now your foe is my foe." 
It was in the midst of a retreat with his hands 
reddened with blood that Augichee met Chiusteh. 



22 CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 

When questioned concennng the present locali- 
ty, Chiusteh described one of the rivers as . then 
entirely impassable, while the other was only ford- 
able for about tAvo-thirds of its breadth, at a certain 
point which passage she thought was strictly 
guarded by a strong party of Creeks. She in- 
formed him that for sometime past the enemy had 
determined to drive the Cherokees into this dan- 
gerous position and that on the previous morning, 
when about to succeed in the attempt, the great 
Creek warrior had sent a message to a large gather- 
ing of warriors recently arrived, and now encamped 
two leagues below, with orders that they should 
move up at sunrise and assist in the capture of 
Augichee and his band. It appeared that so soon 
as they had found the snare to succeed, the pur- 
suers had called a halt in order to receive reinforce- 
ments, for the number of combatants, although 
still considerable, had been much reduced by the 
conflicts of the last few days. In this strait the 
decision of Augichee was instant, his words brief — 
" We, too, go to the great meeting." 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 23 

He at once proceeded to construct rafts of poles, 
branches and vines, rude indeed in appearance, but 
sufficient for his purpose. On these rafts they 
safely floated down the river — though half im- 
mersed in water. They had scarcely entered the 
main current when some dim watch-fires became 
visible, the beacons which were to light them to 
their foes. The landing at a proper place was 
effected with great difficulty and caution, but once 
ashore, Augichee so disposed his force that the 
main attack should proceed continuously from one 
point of the encampment, while some picked men 
whom he had sent to the opposite point should 
disconcert the enemy. Aroused by an attack in 
the dead hour of the night, in absolute surprise, the 
Creeks made, in the first place, no attempt at re- 
sistance ; those who were found on the spot were 
killed ; the others flying in the opposite direction 
to rally there, as soon as they had reached the out- 
skirts, were asaulted with a fierce war whoop which 
sent them back with a fearful recoil towards the 
center among a group of terrified women. Dread- 



24 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

fill collisions now ensued among themselves. By 
estimation upwards of fifteen hundred souls were 
. congregated on the spot, of whom not one-third 
escaped the great slaughter, which was believed to 
have been due mostly to their turning arms against 
each other in the darkness and consternation of the 
hour. When the sun arose it was over a field of 
the dying and the dead. Of the cruelties practised 
there I will not write. 

When the din and excitement of battle had sub- 
sided and the braves were still prowling among the 
debris of the field of carnage, Augichee, possessed 
by one master thought, sought around for Chiusteh. 
He had seen her at the onset exhibit acts of 
heroism with cool determination that might have 
graced a warrior, but when hurried on by fury into 
the thickest of the fight, he had missed her pre- 
sence till the shouts of victory sounded in his eai?s. 
With gloomy forebodings he retraced his steps. 
On approaching the river he discovered her bend- 
ing m mute agony over the corpses of her husband 
and brother, which she had dragged together from 



CHKONICLES OF FLOKIDA. 25 

the midst of the slain; for a moment the natural 
tenderness of woman's heart had triumphed over 
her wrongs. " Woman," said Augichee, mourn- 
fully, as he gazed upon her, ''Woman, leave the 
dead ; they are deaf to the voice of grief and love. 
No voice can rouse them from their sleep ; no, not 
even Augichee's battle cry." "Ah," she rejoined 
in anguishing tones, '' let Chiusteh die the traitor- 
ess of her race ; with hands red with kindred blood 
where can she claim a country or a friend?" 
" Both, in Augichee," was his reply, for his fixed 
determination was to make her his wife. He- 
thought not of her consent, for was she not his^ 
captive? So, with gentle compulsion, he led her 
into the midst of the assembled warriors. 

"Chiefs," were his words, "when I was urged to 
wed, I said ' the bear mates not with the muskrat;' 
now I have found a mate." Such was the mar- 
riage. 

The Cherokee having seized many canoes at the 

landing place and taken such booty as they prized, 

embarked homeward for the highest point attain- 
2 



26 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

able on the river. In a few weeks more, some two 
hundred warriors returned to Attinha amidst the 
mingled shouts for victory and the wailing of 
women for departed friends. 

Though obedience was shown to Augichee as the 
most renowned warrior of his time, and he was 
called at the council fires " the drowning bear who 
had reached the shore to destroy his enemies," yet 
he was not happy. The father of several children, 
he had witnessed the death of all but two, a son 
and a daughter. The first was now a young man 
of diminutive stature and lame because of a club 
foot, for which natural defects he was for a long 
time the peculiar aversion of his father and had 
acquired the nick-name, in derision, of Taco-taka. 
A few years before the advent of the Spaniards, the 
neglected Taco-taka had, notwithstanding his 
youth, gained a reputation for wisdom on account 
of his shrewdness and powers of observation. 
This, together with a most affectionate disposition, 
had in a measure so softened the old chief's heart 
that he was no longer heard to say " Taco-taka is a 



CHROJS'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 27 

dog," but simply " Taco-taka is no warrior." It is 
to Taco-taka that I owe many facts in this narra- 
tive. 

The other surviving child was now about eigh - 
teen years old. As she was reckoned quite a beauty 
in the nation, I will endeavor to describe her in a 
few words, to show how relative are our notions of 
beauty. Unlike her father or mother she was of a 
middle size, rather square built and fleshy. Her 
movements exhibited nothing of the agility or 
grace so apt to be associated with our ideas of the 
savage maiden. Her features corresponded with 
her person, a degree of passiveness was inscribed 
on all ; rarely was she moved to animation. Her 
face was rather large and heavy, with cheek bones 
very prominent, over which peered two very small, 
black eyes. Her mouth, with a set of large and 
prominent teeth exposed to view, was certainly not 
enticing to any but Cherokees, especially when 
added to these she possessed the nasal twang of the 
language in its perfection. A gently arched fore- 
head surmounted by coarse coal-black hair would 



28 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

be with us redeeming features. Such was Eusteka- 
(in the original Huesteka) the pride of the Chero- 
kees, both from her personal charms and social 
position, the belle of belles. 



CHAPTER II. 

?HAT portion of the Tennessee valley in which 
the explorers were now encamped, is an irregu- 
lar oval space comprised between the Cowee 
mountains on the east and the high Nantehali 
range on the west. It extends about twelve leagues 
from Tulamassee to lallatta at its nothern ex- 
tremity where the two chains just mentioned con- 
verge, and through whose disrupted rocks the river 
forces its way. Within this valley numerous moun- 
tain streams pour tribute into the main or central 
river, which latter is fordable at an ordinary stage 
of water. Though charmed with the fertility of 
this valley, its picturesque beauty and mild climate, 
together with the amiable inhabitants, the 
Spaniards were soon satisfied that the main object 
of their search was not to be there attained. In 
due time the persons who had been sent out to ex- 
plore the country to the north and east, beyond the 

29 



30 CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 

Tuckasege river, returned with unfavorable reports 
as to gold deposits, but they were charmed with 
the country. 

Here I am tempted to give the verses of a youth 
who had wandered with a companion from Santa 
Fe, one gifted with poetic, though uncultivated 
powers, whose graces, like the humble violet, 
bloomed in obscurity: 

[" Arboles, los montes y bosques," and all that 
are too much for the present pen. The following is 
adopted as a substitute]: 

The tangled forest's silent shade 

Has greater charms for me 
Than wealth, with all its gay parade 

And gorgeous finery. 

Beneath the wild wood's pleasant gloom 

My mind is free from care, 
Each waving leaf, each floweret's bloom. 

Brings sweet reflections near. 

The lofty oak, the creeping vine, 

And blossoms rich and fair. 
In one embowering roof combine 

To make the scene most dear. 

While warbling songsters sweetly sing 

In notes of tender love. 
And cheer the stranger wandering 

Beneath the shady grove. 



CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 31 

But to return, the only hope of success then 
rested on those who had gone to explore the west- 
ward, and when for three days afterwards no 
tidings had arrived from that quarter, the greatest 
uneasiness prevailed in the encampment. At night 
all eyes were turned in the direction of the Nante- 
hali range and its highest peak the Marihaez, when 
suddenly a signal fire appeared near the summit of 
the latter, which no sooner had Don Carlos seen, 
than he exclaimed with joy, " It is Pacheco's, the 
mines are discovered." Indeed, this had been pre- 
concerted in the event of success, and his reaching 
the summit at night. In a moment the fire de- 
scended in a waving, serpentine line. The moun- 
tains were on fire, a fringe of flickering and moving 
lights skirted the western horizon, starred here and 
there, whenever the drier trees became ignited from 
the leaves and grass below. A revulsion of feelings 
now succeeded; anticipating the realization of their 
hopes and the rewards of their toils, the Spaniards 
spent the night in glee and carousals. 

I will now relate what occurred to Don Pacheco. 



33 CHROI^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

He had started, in company Avith Oliviera and two 
other persons, under the guide of Hiantuga. After 
ascending along a stream, called Catuga, for nearly 
five leagues, they reached the very steep pass of the 
Nantehali, which they surmounted with consider- 
able difficulty and fatigue. The descent on the 
other side is less abrupt and along a small moun- 
tain rill which falls into the Nantehali river at the 
base. At the confluence they found the village of 
Oconorocto, where they were received with great 
kindness by its venerable chief Shawnee. At 
this point the river is quite shallow, and not 
very rapid, though the scenery is most imj^osing. 
The mountains present very bald or steep aspects. 
The trail here is frequently interrupted by fallen 
trees or swept by torrents, and at times overhang 
fearful precipices. Three leagues onward occurred 
another mountain pass, the descent from which 
Avas exceedingly steep for about a thousand paces. 
From this, however, a short distance placed them 
beyond the great mountain ranges, and thence they 
pursued the way down a small stream, called Tus- 



CHEOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 33 

quitta, whicli meanders in a very pleasant valley. 
Here Oliviera first discovered traces of gold dust. 
Further on they entered the fertile valley of the 
Hiwassee whose scenery is more open and milder 
than any they had yet passed. On the third night 
they stopped at the village of Charna on the left 
bank of the river. In consequence of important 
information, Hiantuga conducted them on the next 
morning in a northern course to Hiattee river, a 
branch of the Hiwassee. The way was over a 
beautiful and spacious plain which extends on the 
east towards the great mountain range. The 
Indians called this "the plain of the dazzling 
bird" — the subject of a fanciful legend. After a 
journey of about seven leagues they entered the 
valley of the Hiattee which presents a most beauti- 
ful vista, indeed, one of the most beautiful in the 
world, extending eight leagues up a gently inclined 
plane of varying widths, through which meanders 
the river. This plane is bounded on either hand 
by steep hills that gradually rise in elevation as 
they approach the high peaks in the distance. The 



34 CHRONICLES OP FLORIDA. 

indications of gold became very evident as the 
valley was ascended, till examining the roots of an 
uptorn tree they discovered enough gold adhering 
thereto to justify operations there. Pursuing the 
search, gold deposits were found in almost all 
dependent situations, that is, at the base of steep 
hills, in ravines and in the beds of rivulets. Gold 
dust was usually found in the gravel but little 
removed from the surface and immediately above 
the slate rock. 

Elated with joy, the explorers would have 
hastened back to their comrades had it not been 
for a love adventure which detained Don Pacheco 
for a few more days at Wahu. The charmer was 
Omuna, who was regarded by the Spaniards, but 
not by her countrymen, the most beautiful woman 
of the nation. Her form and features and her 
Toice reminded one more of an Andalusian maiden 
than aught else. While roaming through the 
forest in quest of game, Don Pacheco came sud- 
denly where she stood alarmed. Mutual surprise, 
and perhaps admiration, ri vetted then for awhile? 



CHRONICLES OF FLCmiDA. 35 

but when he ventured to approach nearer she 
darted through the tangled bushes and was lost to 
his sight. Thoughtlessly, he dropped his gun and 
pursued in the direction she had gone, but his 
efforts to reach her were in vain. Her image 
haunted him till, on inquiry of some friends, he 
learned she lived at Wahu. There he sought her 
and found she was not indifferent to him, but she 
prudently reserved her final decision till her 
brother (who had gone on a hunt) should return. 
For this cause he entertained a high sense of 
respect for Omuna. Thus they became mutually 
attached to each other — because she, like her sex 
in general, admired a superior nature in him, and 
because he found his heart fascinated with the idea 
of loving a savage in love. When they parted it 
was, with her faith, that he would return to take 
her to his lodge. 

Up to this time the most friendly relations ex- 
isted between the two races, but before returning 
to Attinha, Oliviera had a serious difficulty with 
the chief of Charna, because the former had im- 



36 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

prudently boasted of his prowess in disparagement 
of the latter; bloodshed must have resulted but for 
the timely interference of Teodoro at the risk of 
his own life. When this matter was adjusted the 
pacified chief went from one extreme to another — 
so far, indeed, as to offer one of his wives to 
Oliviera. 

On the arrival of the explorers, the company at 
once broke up the encampment on the Star of Mary 
and took the march to the field of operations. 
Hiantuga acted again as guide, having been liber- 
ally rewarded for his services. In the valley the 
Spanish quarters were temporarily located in the 
vicinity of Wahu, in order to organize matters for 
the future welfare of the expedition. To Teodoro, 
Andreo, and one or two others, was assigned 
the task of procuring means of subsistence 
from the Indians or the chase, and an abundance 
of provisions was cared for, and stored away for 
future use. These men by their frequent inter- 
course with the Indians, were soon masters of the 



CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 37 

language, and learned also the manners and cus- 
toms of the natives. 

The summer was spent in searching for gold 
among the ravines, but with a success entirely dis- 
proportioned to the expectations formed; the aver- 
age amount obtained daily being not more than 
seven reals per man. Don Carlos, disatisfied with 
the slow progress made so far, wandered inces- 
santly among the hills in search of indications 
that might lead to the discovery of richer deposits 
of the precious metal. A certain restlessness, an 
acerbity of temper, a careless dress, marked him as 
he wended his way with spade and mattock. His 
meals were neglected or hastily dispatched afc ir- 
regular times, and very often he passed the night 
without sleep. 

In this condition about the first of September, 
guided as he stated by mineralogical appearances 
and a dream, Don Carlos, unhappily pitched upon 
a spot Avhich included the sepulchres of the 
Indians. 

This may be described as a small rounded hill. 



38 CHRONTCLES OF FLORIDA. 

a spur of the principal river range, having a 
gradual descent to the river, and connected on the 
other side to the adjoining eminence by a narrow 
neck of land difficult of access from the sides. It 
is of sufficient elevation to command a full view of 
the heights, in its immediate vicinity, but more 
from the general features of the ground than from 
its own isolation. This hill was covered by numer- 
ous heaps of stones, beneath which reposed the dead 
of centuries. Passing over the natural causeway, one 
came to the adjoining hill which was of much 
larger extent, and there it was that the main min- 
ing operations were to be prosecuted and a furnace 
built. Desirous to secure a permanent location for 
the winter, the company readily assented to the 
wishes of their leader. 

A fort or block house was erected upon the spur 
near the point, where the causeway commences, and 
so constructed, that a deep ditch cut quite across 
its narrow part, interrupted all access in the direc- 
tion of the river, which was about a mile off; the 
only passage left free was to and from the prin- 



CHRO"N"ICLES OF FLORIDA. 39 

cipal hill. I omitted to mention, that about a month 
or two previous, Oliviera, with the consent of Don 
Carlos, had sent a messenger to Pensacola to one 
Padre Riquez, urging him to bring on the enforce- 
ments, promised on receiving the news of their 
success. 

This Riquez, had been sent to Pensacola by the 
Senor Obispo, on a mission. When solicited to join 
the expedition, his reply was : " My mission in the 
new world is not in quest of gold, but to extend 
the religion and monarchy of Spain. Should you 
find the natives tractable, write to me and I will 
join you with additional men and ammunition." 

No sooner had the fortification been completed, 
than it was visited by Santnoh, the Kongateh, a 
sort of priest, juggler and physician, whose very 
name filled the Indians with awe. He demanded 
with an air of conscious authority, "Who had given 
the pale faces permission to build among the burial 
places of his fathers or to dig within the sacred 
precincts ?" Don Carlos coming forward replied, 
that as no objection had been made to his careful 



40 CHKOI?"ICLES OF FLOEIDA. 

selection of a locality, he had chosen this spot, but 
would guard the tumuli of the dead from all dese- 
cration. It soon appeared that no argument, 
apology or present could pacify Santnoh, or win his 
good will towards the Spaniards; after some impas- 
sioned gesticulation and muttered imprecations, 
this meddlesome guest departed with malice and 
revenge pent up within his bosom. 

Meantime, an Indian, employed in the excavations 
of the hill, had found a nugget of gold which cir- 
cumstance so flattering to the hopes of Don Carlos, 
deprived him of whatever remains of prudence he 
might have had. Though now urged to change 
his location by some who by recent observation 
among the Indians saw the full danger of their 
situation, he gave heed to no remonstrance, but on 
the contrary, became the more infatuated. He 
now spoke hurriedly, urged the work in spite of 
all obstacles, and behaved at times as if the very 
hills should burst open at his bidding and disclose 
their treasures. A large majority of the company 
sided with Don Carlos, and all dissatisfaction 



CHRON'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 41 

hitherto existing, was hushed up in the enthusiasm 
of the moment. 

Within a few days the Indians who had been 
employed in the mines suddenly withdrew, as also 
did others in the vicinity of the fort, under the pre- 
text of a hunt, but in reality to obey the mandates 
of the Kongateh. Alarmed by these indications, 
Don Pacheco entreated his father to invite Augi- 
chee to a conference, that impending difficulties 
might be avoided. This request was obtained at 
last solely on the score of interest to get back the 
Indian miners, the want of whom had become 
serious — for the Spaniards themselves disliked to 
work. The mines in consequence were greatly 
neglected. Insubordination was manifested, which 
Oliviera fostered to suit his views and thus rose to 
sudden popularity. He would have made a capital 
Athenian demagogue. He declared his scheme 
from the first was to obtain a sufficient force to 
compel the natives to labor in the mines, as had 
been done in other settlements. In the meantime 



42 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

he concurred with Don Pacheco, for a council, till 
he could mature his plan. 

Teodoro and his colleagues having to visit At- 
tinha in quest of certain articles and provisions, 
were also commissioned to make arrangements for 
a conference with the chiefs. 

On their arrival there, Augichee lay dangerously 
ill; indeed, by common report, his recovery was 
past all hope. Yielding to the dictates of his 
heart Teodoro requested permission to visit the 
chief. Though Augichee had permitted no one to 
approach him, except the family and Santnoh, yet 
when it was whispered that one of the white chiefs 
had called to see him, the thought came that pos- 
sibly the stranger was possessed of some means to 
alleviate his sufferings, and Teodoro was granted 
admission. 

This hut or lodge of the chief (for he had 
several) was constructed, as it were, expressly to 
exclude the fresh air, having but one low entrance, 
through which, one was constrained to crawl, after 
having removed the raw hide that served as a door. 



CHKOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 43 

Within was a warm, loathsome and offensive at- 
mosphere, and on one side lay Augichee, stretched 
on a pallet of deer skin. The fitful glare of a de- 
caying fire in the center of the earthen floor, 
flickered occasionally upon the face of the old man, 
whose features appeared almost obliterated, by the 
inroads of the disease, erysipelas, under which he 
suffered. 

In a husky and tremulous voice, he entreated Teo- 
doro to give him the white man's remedy, " For,' 
added he, " Santnoh had already sung the death 
song and gone on a journey." Impressed wjth 
the delicacy of his position, Teodoro, never- 
theless consented to prescribe as he had 
acquired some knowledge of physic, both at 
Montpelier and in his travels. Indeed, he 
thought it a solemn duty to give assistance to the 
needy on all occasions. As a first step he ordered 
the chief to be conveyed to a more airy lodge, where 
he yielded him the most assiduous attention. The 
next night Augichee lay restless and delirious till 
midnight when the fever abated and he fell into a 



44: CHROJ^"ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

calm slumber. Towards morning he dreamed of 
the spirit land, but it was far diiferent from any 
conception he had previously formed. Instead of 
shadowy warriors engaged in the full career of the 
chase, and ranging through ever verdant forests, 
a multitude of joyous people, radiant with light, 
stood before him, among whom and not the least 
conspicuous was Teodoro. As he gazed entranced 
in admiration, a united shout overspread the 
mighty host in which he heard his name pro- 
nounced, and himself welcome as a brother. 

The next day the three Spaniards and family, 
being gathered around Augichee in the lodge, he 
expressed the greatest gratitude to Teodoro and 
related the dream. The conversation which ensued 
lasted some time, and I can only relate a few topics. 
The chief spake to the following effect : 

" Brother, the red man looks at the sky, he sees 
the lightning's flash, he hears the growl of the 
thunder, 'tis all, he knows no more. I have found 
my white brother. His medicine is life. Santnoh 
knows nothing. Augichee has often seen the trees 



CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 45 

cast their Jeaves, his sinews are stiff, his sight is 
dim, yet his spirit wanders over the past, as a bird 
returns to the nest where he was fledged. Why- 
does his heart sink within his breast ? Why is it 
when warriors stoop before the great chief, he feels 
like a dog ? Tis this — Angichee mourns his years 
of crime ; he knows all is not right within his 
breast. Augichee hears the wailings of w^omen for 
their untimely slain, he hears the dying warrior's 
groans, he sees the outstretched hands of supplica- 
ting mothers screening in vain their infants and 
themselves. Say it is war, still Augichee's hands 
are red with blood. The blood of enemies is in his 
eyes — now death looks at Augichee. How shall he 
look at the slain in the spirit land ? Can the Great 
Spirit who is himself so good tolerate the evil ? 
What says the white brother ? Santnoh knows 
nothing ; the red men's Kongateh is a fool." When 
the chief had ceased, Teodoro scarcely able to re- 
strain his emotions, informed him that from their 
first meeting he had not ceased to pray to the Great 
Spirit to enlighten and bless Augichee and his 



46 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

people. He then proceeded to instruct the family. 
At the conclusion, the chief begged for a few days 
for reflection, adding that he thought he had heard 
the truth for the first time. 

A short time sufficed to put Augichee in a con- 
dition to undertake the journey to Charna, whither 
he had notified the subordinate chiefs to meet in 
council. He was now well aware of the bitter 
hatred of Santnoh for the Spaniards, and especially 
for Teodoro, whose skill had triumphed over that 
of the Indian Kongateh, though Augichee hoped 
to pacify the wrath of the latter, little knowing 
how unreasonable is the spirit of fanaticism. 

The chiefs train consisted of some thirty per- 
sons, about one-half were women carrying provi- 
sions and a few infants on their backs, while the 
men led the way in single file, unshackled save by 
their arms. Having been unavoidedly detained on 
the route, they arrived at the pass of the Marihaez, 
at nightfall and encamped a little further on the 
other side. While most of the party sat about 
the fires, absorbed in a species of gambling so 



CHRONTCLES OF FLORIDA. 47 

strong a passion of savage life, or regaling them- 
selyes, Augichee approached the white men, and 
pointing to the path which led up the mount, 
beckoned them to follow him. The chief walked 
firmly before them up a serpentine and precipitous 
path till the great ascent to the summit was 
reached. This was so abrupt and difficult, that they 
were compelled to clamber up its sides for some 
distance. As they proceeded the trees became more 
and more stunted and sparse, till the party emerged 
upon the bald portion of the mountain, and a little 
distance upwards stood upon the summit. The 
moon had just risen. The view was grand, awful 
and overpowering, well calculated to make one see 
his utter insignificance in the vast scale of creation. 
There they stood as on a rock, isolated as it were 
in the midst of a boundless ocean, whose dark and 
heavy billows heaved silently below to sink in 
chasms, whose depths, night rendered more appal- 
ling, A calm, frosty night reigned on the heights. 
When oppressed with care and in trouble, Augi- 
chee had oftimes resorted to this spot to address 



48 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

the Great Spirit, thus in his estimation it had 
became sacred, and thither he had thought proper 
to hear the words of those who bore a message 
from Him. Now, seated at the foot of Teodoro, he 
said, "Augichee has two ears for his brother." In 
the course of Teodoro's address he gave the follow- 
ing account of himself : " When I was a boy the 
Great Spirit gave me wisdom. Tlie people of my 
country save my own kindred did not love that 
wisdom. In exile we were driven from place ta 
place. At length, though I had been commissioned 
to teach others the way of life, I was shut up 
within a dark place, apart from mankind. Six and 
twenty moons had passed overhead, while I pined 
there ; but God was light to my soul and balm in 
my distress. At length he who brought my daily 
food, stopped once to listen to my prayer. He 
heard me pray even for my enemies. This touched 
his heart. He found means to open my door, to 
talk with me in private and to kneel together in 
prayer. We embraced, became brothers and found 
means to escape. Thenceforth the wide world was- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 49 

our field, all men our brethren. We resolved to 
do good wherever we could. We sought at first 
such countries, whose language we understood. We 
travelled far, but men hated us, so soon as they 
heard we had wisdom — wisdom that would keep 
them from evil ways which they prized. We left 
them and passed on, 'till Andreo said, * perhaps the 
red men will hear us,' and we were brought here." 
Their conference lasted until the gray of the 
morning ; contending emotions had alternately 
swayed the bosom of the venerable chief, as he 
found the long cherished notions and educational 
prejudices of his life vanish one by one under the 
calm manly pleadings of Teodoro, till the latter 
rising up, pointed eastward as the dawn approached 
and then spoke of the sublime transactions away 
in Judea, and of that salvation which angels de- 
sired to look into. "There," said he, "you will find 
love, light and life — and there alone." Then Augi- 
chee's features beamed with joy — all doubts had 
vanished forever, embracing his friends he ex- 
claimed. "It is the truth ! It is the truth ! " The 
3 



50 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

gorgeous sun had sprung from behind the hills — 
night had fled — each dew drop glistened in the 
light as they went down the mountain rejoicing. 
Before they set out again they were overtaken by 
Santnoh, who approached Teodoro and said: " The 
white medicine man is stronger than the red man, 
ha!" The former replied that he was no Kongateh, 
and left that honor entirely to Santnoh, to whom 
it belonged, and that he had never intended to 
offend the Kongateh of the Oherokees. At this 
point Santnoh appeared pacified. " Ah," then said 
he, "very good." Still on the way, he neglected 
nothing to excite mistrust if not hatred against the 
Spaniards. With all the Indians except a very few, 
he succeeded but too well, by frequent appeals to 
their religious fears on account of the desecration 
of the burial places. An accident soon after came 
near ridding the Spaniards of this troublesome 
enemy, for while in advance at the descent of the 
next range Santnoh was attacked and overpow- 
ered by a couple of panthers (gatos de montes) and 
must have been destroyed but for the seasonable 
haste of Andres to his deliverance. 




CHAPTER III. 

PPKISED of the arrival of the chiefs at 
Charna, Don Carlos, at the request of Oli- 
viera, sent presents to all who possessed in- 
fluence in the approaching council, Oliviera know- 
ing that Eusteka engrossed the affections of her 
father, declared his intentions in advance, to win 
her heart if possible, but at all events to be so 
devoted in his attentions to her, as to gain her con- 
fidence, which might lead to a knowledge of the 
secrets of the Indians. Don Carlos himself would 
not go to Charna at this time, because a few 
miners having resumed operations in the course of 
the recently discovered gold deposits, became so 
transported with the notion of the wealth of the 
mines now to be reached, that he solemnly resolved 
not to abandon the spot, but at the last extremity. 

Feeling that the emergency might arise to force 

61 



52 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

the natives to work the mines, he concluded so soon 
as the conference should end, to send his son with 
Andreo, to Achitta to hurry on the expected re- 
inforcement. 

Several days elapsed at Charna while the pre- 
liminaries of council were being arranged, and this 
gave scope to the intrigues of Oliviera. This in- 
dividual was not devoid of personal advantages, 
from past experience with others, he was confident 
of soon making an impression on the chief's 
daughter — even if it; should end by his win- 
ning a principality in the nation. Though 
Eusteka received his attentions with the secret 
pleasure, natural to her sex, she cautiously avoided 
any encouragement, her policy appeared merely 
to be to allow them, as of right, her due, and a 
matter of pure courtesy. Baffled, and piqued by 
her coldness and reserve, he felt but the more 
anxious to succeed. Nothing however could change 
her general tone of conduct, nor would she wear 
any ornaments he presented for her decoration. 
Meanwhile the frequent visits of Oliviera gave rise 



CHR02?'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 53 

to exaggerated reports. During all this time, Oli- 
viera knew not, dreamed not, that danger lurked in 
his path — that Eusteka was the affianced bride of 
Hiantuga the young war chief. When the latter 
came to Charna, having returned from a long hunt 
near the Kanosege, (Tuckasege) he was shocked 
with what appeared the perfidy of Eusteka and 
the success of his rival. Without inquiry, in the 
distraction of his mind, he turned away abruptly 
and plunged back into the recesses of the forest. 

Taco-taka's poetical version in the Cherokee style 
may be pardonably rendered as follows, (the nasal 
imitation left out): 

Maddened by jealousy, his first thought was revenge — 

violent and instant. 
When the sun sunk in the west, he saw in the sky but 

the hue of blood. 
The night came on, and yet he moves lonely through 

the dark avenues of the forest, cut off from every 

human tie and chilled at the heart. 
Onward he moves, the wind moans — 
Is it the voice of commiseration or in mockery ? 

Onward he moves. 
The eyes of the night, the cold white stars look down 

upon him ; is he lonesome now, since for good or 

evil, those watchers follow him through the mazes 

of the forest ? 



54 CHROl^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

Onward he goes, the sound of flowing waters met his ear. 
Flow on thou stream ! forever ! Must he, too, move thus ? 
Onward he moves, the morning star has crowned yon 

mountain height ; there is hope now, hope of light 

and life. 
Onward he goes — the gray streaks of morn appear, and 

the sounds of waking life are heard upon the hills. 
Once more he is connected with the world and with the 

living. 

Early in the morning Taco-taka and his sister on 
their way to visit a near relative whose lodge was 
on the Hiattee ; within sight of the place a stream 
descends the river almost at right angles, there they 
spied Hiantuga as he sat upon a fallen tree absorbed 
in thought, while before him stood his javelin 
stuck in the ground. On being hailed his surprise 
was great when he saw Eusteka. After awhile he 
rose and walked besides her, going in the same di- 
rection, his soul was full, his agitation extreme. 
Controlling himself he said : "The stranger stands 
between us, you no longer behold Hiantuga." " Old 
friends," she replied, " are not to be forgotten, they 
rise every morning to gladden our eyes, their pre- 
sence is like the perfume of the purple flower 
(Calycanthus) when dew is on the leaves." "If so/^ 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 55 

he resumed, " why seek new faces ? Is not blood in 
the face of the red man ? Is there not warmth in his 
hand ? The pale face is dear to Eusteka, let him 
beware !" Finding his wrath increasing, she spoke 
suddenly: " Hiantuga, threaten not! The strangers 
came here in peace, let them remain here in peace. 
As for Unaik, (Teodoro) he is all gentleness 
and noble — far above our race. The Great 
Spirit made him to excel, vv^hy shoukl we repine ?'' 
Hiantuga, with drooping lids, looked on the 
ground, but could not command the terrible 
emotions at work within, for with a keen, 
piercing glance towards her came words in 
impassioned utterance : "You love him ! I am de- 
ceived, betrayed ! Thus it is ever with your sex — 
like that vine which has wound itself around the 
first sapling within its reach. See! It has killed it I 
and now, aspiring still higher, it clasps the trunk 
of the sturdy oak ; such is woman's love !" Eusteka,. 
who little understood the cause of such a storm, 
at length said, with unafiected sincerity: " Eusteka 
is to be the bride of Hiantuga — she weds not above 



56 CHROI^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

her people. Then let not Hiantuga look upon his 
Eusteka in anger — his smiles is her joy — she lives 
for Hiantuga." She then told him of various inci- 
dents that had happened since their last interview, 
especially how a pale face, Unaik, had saved her 
father's life, and had taught him many great and 
good things. She begged, Hiantuga would seek 
instruction of Unaik, who was a true friend of his, 
and had cautioned her to behave with reserve 
towards the pale faces, which advice she had 
strictly followed. Oliviera was not mentioned even 
once by either, yet he, it was against whom a 
scheme of private revenge had been formed, and 
although Hiantuga listened with calmness and in- 
terest to his beloved Eusteka, that scheme was 
finally merged and lost in the fixed determination 
to destroy the entire expedition, save only one, for 
the sake of the tender petitioner. Thus, as it has 
always been in all regions and ages — we find the 
spirit of poetry, epic or amatory, in the man and in 
the woman, the object and the cause. 
Althougli Charna had been selected for the 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 57 

conference, Don Carlos could not be induced 
to leave the ueigborhood of the mines; so 
the chief had, after some difficulty, reluct- 
antly consented to meet near the fort, at 
a sort of ampitheater, on the principal river — 
hill in the rear. The foliage of the trees now ex- 
hibited all the gaudiest tints so remarkable a 
feature of this region in Autumn. When the chiefs 
arrived they sat in semicircles on the ground, and 
awaited in silence the coming of the Spaniards. 
Then Don Carlos with his officers and such armed 
men as could be spared from guard, all dressed in 
imposing military costumes, marched out to meet 
them by the sound of martial music, and bear- 
ing aloft the flag of Spain. Indeed every effort 
was made to gain the admiration and respect of the 
natives. 

It may be well to state here, Olivier a, ever full of 
inventions had since his difficulty with the chief of 
Charna, closely shaven his head and colored it with 
a red dye, over which he wore a flowing wig, for 
the purpose, he declared, to practice a tricK on the 



58 CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 

Indians. When the procession reached the river 
range, the flag was planted and the conference 
began. The chiefs on their part observed much 
formality, but in a very quiet way. Oliviera who 
still acted as spokesman addressed them as follows : 

"It is with regret, chiefs, that we have heard of 
unfriendly feelings existing on your part against our 
people, though we have smoked the pipe of peace 
together ; because we have built our great lodge 
here, it is said, you are angry. Now we wish to 
maintain peace with our red brothers, and in that 
view, promise never to violate the sepulchres, if we 
are not molested in our present place. On the 
other hand we cannot now remove without great 
loss and hazard ; for this cause we desire all opposi- 
tion against us to cease. Our brothers must know 
that in seeking peace we are not actuated by fear ; ' 
for though we are few in numbers, our power is 
great and our prowess unquestionable." 

He then entered more minutely on the subject of 
Spanish grandeur and imprudently hinted of 
succour from abroad. When he ceased, a silence of 



\ 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 59 

some minutes elapsed, in the hope that Augichee, to 
whom all eyes were turned, would next speak. At 
length Stikititla, a chief of great shrewdness, arose 
and asked : "How long did the pale faces intend to 
stay in the country ? If for a short time, huts like 
those of the Indians or their own tents might have 
answered, but their great lodge was to stand for 
many summers." This question Oliviera endeavored 
to evade by saying that the Spaniards were accus- 
tomed to such dwellings. But Stikititla again put 
the question: " How long do the pale faces intend 
to stay?" To this Oliviera merely remarked, he 
hoped they were echulahe (all one) that is brothers 
or friends. 

Santnoh now sprung up not able to restrain his 
feelings, and as he assayed to speak blood spurted 
from his nostrils: "The bones of our fathers are 
violated or trodden under foot. Corn would not 
grow — the chase would fail unless the pale faces 
were sent or driven away. They had corrupted the 
youth by employing them to dig the hills or to 
carry burdens. The nation would become ener- 



60 CHKONICLES OF FLOKIDA. 

vated, -would become women." It was evident when 
he stopped, he had checked himself in midway. It 
was plain that his views swayed a majority of the 
chiefs, as manifested by their marks of approbation. 
The time had now arrived when Augichee could 
no longer remain silent, so he stood up calmly 
while expectations waited on him. He proposed 
that if the chiefs did not approve of the permanent 
occupation of the locality by the Spaniards, justice 
demanded that they be allowed time enough to 
make a removal elsewhere without loss. He 
thought some four or five moons at least ought to 
be granted to them. As the white friends had 
been encouraged to make a settlement they should 
not now be turned out in the winter. 

Santnoh opposed this proposition with warmth. 
"Not one moon," he exclaimed, "shall be 
yielded them, and if they will not go we 
shall compel them." " Compel them, indeed," said 
Oliviera with scorn, " when I alone can eat up the 
whole tribe. Santnoh sprung backwards, poised his 
war club for action, and then with a sudden leap 



CHKON"ICLES OF FLOKIDA. 61 

had certainly slain Oliviera, had not Augichee and 
Teodoro interposed. When the former called Sant- 
noh's attention to the solemn nature of a conneil, 
he replied aloud, '* Very well — let this pass now but 
I vow to have his scalp." " Here take it now," ex- 
claimed Oliviera, while he threw his wig at the foot 
of the Kongoteh, thus exposing his reddened scalp. 
The Indians were utterly appalled at the phenome- 
non — indeed Santnoh fled some steps in utter 
amazement; nor was their emotion abated when 
Oliviera quickly picked up the wig and replaced it 
on his head with a shout of exultation. This and 
a demonstration of the effects of fire arms, so over- 
awed the chiefs that a majority were soon obtained 
to extend to the Spaniards the terms proposed by 
Augichee as the middle ground of concession. By 
the advice of Teodoro, Don Carlos agreed to them 
as the best terms that could be obtained at present. 
A treaty was duly ratified ; by the terms of which 
the Spaniards were to remain in the present lo- 
cality till the spring, when the leaves of the oak 
should be as large as a squirrel's ears, when they 



62 CHROiaCLES OF FLORIDA. 

sbould abandon the fort and then either enter into 
a new treaty by which a new location should be 
assigned them or forever quit the country. This 
latter clause was added by Santnoh, in the hope 
that it would not be accepted as events immediately 
proved. Don Carlos saw in this treaty an oppor- 
tune means to postpone his difficulties, that by 
bribes and duplicity he might eventually obtain 
his own terms, and be in a position before spring 
to dictate to the refractory natives. 

Taken entirely off their guard by what they had 
witnessed and the unexpected decision of the ma- 
jority, Santnoh and his immediate associates, after 
the preliminaries had been settled, preserved a 
solemn silence, till the calumet of peace was offered 
around, when they arose and marched off the 
ground without so much as looking behind. Thus 
troubles were brewing against the expedition that 
rendered efficient vigilance and measures for pro- 
tection necessary. 

When once more congregated within the fort, the 
company deliberated upon the present aspect of 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 63 

affairs, and the contingencies that might arise. 
Oliviera began by saying that the interval now 
obtained was only to be employed in preparation for 
hostilities and in expectation of reinforcement. A 
cherished object in the meantime was to create dis- 
sentions among the Indians, and to form a party 
in alliance with the expedition. The good will of 
some had already been won, by supplies of aqua- 
diente and the female portion was much inclined to 
be friendly with the whites, as it oftimes happens 
among inferior races. Any advice to abandon the 
fort or loose the fruits of their operations was to be 
denounced at once as cowardly, unless indeed this 
advice was based upon the certainty of better pros- 
pects elsewhere. But having secured an ample 
supply of provisions against a siege to keep up this 
supply for the future, it will be necessary to retain 
prisoners of influence as hostages. He proposed 
for his part to decoy and entrap the chiefs 
daughter, because the intimacy he had attempted 
to maintain with her, might afford reasonable 
grounds to show that she had taken her abode at 



64 CHROiNICLES OF FLORIDA. 

the fort through loye and her own choice, not 
violence ; others might imitate his example. Any 
hostility on the part of the Indians would prove 
vain and futile, since the fort was well supplied 
with arms and ammunition. Before all he hoped 
to make it appear, that he knew how to combat the 
savages, having heretofore defeated more than half 
a dozen in the open field. To all this Don Carlos 
yelded his hearty support. 

When Teodoro would introduce a few words of 
entreaty and advice, Oliviera, in a rough and harsh 
manner, interrupted him, saying : " Comrades ; be 
careful how you hearken to this man, for I have 
good reason to suspect him to be in league with 
the Indians. Heard you not with what reverence 
he was styled ' Unaik the Kongateh ?' Heard you 
not how earnestly he pleaded for Augichee's terms 
of the treaty ?" Extending his arms to address 
the company, the accused was checked by hisses 
and groans, which did not cease till Don Pacheco 
interceded, or rather interposed, an authority 
rarely disputed. Comparative order being intro- 



CHRON"ICLES OF FLORIDA. 65 

duced, Teodoro said : *' By your leave, Don Carlos, 
I am permitted to defend myself. I call upon 
every man here to testify whether I have done him 
wrong, or whether (which I boast not) I have ever 
ministered to the wants of the sick and necessitous. 
To you, Don Carlos, I especially appeal. Have I 
not with fidelity and economy used the means 
placed in my hands for the purchase of provisions ? 
That I have acquired the respect and confidence of 
the natives, bespeaks not an intriguing spirit, but 
one actuated with a sense of justice and love to 
man. That I advised the treaty was to spare the 
eflfusion of blood — to spare which my voice shall 
ever be heard, though it brings destruction on my 
head. I essayed to speak awhile ago in the cause of 
justice, in the cause of innocence, but I was silenced. 
By an examination of your stores you will find 
provisions collected there for several months, at 
least to last through the winter. This is the 
work of myself and my colleagues — without as- 
sistance or without remuneration. If, after this 



66 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

exhibit, you are dissatisfied with me, you will 
please give me permission to accompany Don 
Pacheco to Achitta. 'Tis all I ask." 

After he had finished, Andreo and another friend 
asked leave to go with him. Hereupon Don Carlos, 
alarmed lest a defection should extend further and 
others for various causes should break ofi" from the 
expedition, and perhaps imperil its success, after 
a brief conference with Oliviera, brought about a 
reconciliation, which was as false on one side as 
it was sincere on the other. 

On the following day Don Pacheco, with Andreo 
alone, was sent out to meet the expected reinforce- 
ment and conduct it by the nearest route* 
Teodora still continued to exchange trinkets and 
commodities for maize and other provisions, though 
opportunities for barter became fewer every day. 
Three other persson were detailed to hunt and 
cure venison and other game. 

Now a strange mutation took place in the mind 
of Don Carlos. As he had been the slave of 
pleasure, then of gold, he finally became that of 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 67 

ambition and military glory. Already, in his esti- 
mation, lie was destined to become the Cortes of 
Catengema. Oliviera, who was U7i lionibre politico^ (a 
politician) hailed this change with pleasure, hoping 
to take the rule when the affairs of the expedi- 
tion should become involved. Arms were order- 
ed to be distributed to each man, a strict military 
discipline was instituted ; sentries were regularly 
posted and the mines abandoned for the winter. 
The ammunition had been so carefully husbanded 
that little less remained on hand than the quantity 
brought. A piece of Artillery or swivel {ima jneza 
de artiUeria, un pedrero) was placed over the gate 
to command the entrance and causeway. 

After the council had adjourned, Santnoh sought 
with eagerness for the young war chief, but he had 
hurried on with all expedition homewards. While 
on this quest the medicine-man accosted Taco-taka^ 
who was engaged in spearing fish on the river. 
" Well met," exclaimed Santnoh, " I looked for one 
and behold the other; now follow me to a spot 
that has no ear. Santnoh's spirit fills his bosom. 



68 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

nigh to bursting." At the base of an overhanging 
rock they sat on the ground opposite to each other. 
Santnoh fixed a sad gaze on Taco-taka for a few 
minutes in profound silence. Wearied, at length 
the latter asked, " What means the cloud on Sant- 
noh's face ?" Then followed from the chief a sort 
of chant in measured cadences, impossible to be 
correctly rendered here, but scarcely to be omitted 
altogether : 

** When Augichee spurned his crippled son, 
Because no warrior he might be, 
Who helped his feeble steps among the hills *? 

Santnoh ! 

*' When the cruel father called him *dog,' 
Who hugged him like a petted fawn 
And taught the way to fame and power ? 

Santnoh ! 

*• Who gloried more, when with youthful face 
Taco-taka sat among the wise 
For honors won, unsurpassed in council ? 

Santnoh ! 

" Who would say : * Be not Taco-taka 
But now Tetishko, the kongateh, 
And ever wear this wampum belt for me ? ' 

Santnoh ! " 

" My heart feels big towards Santnoh," replied 



CHROl^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 69 

Taco-fcaka with deep emotion, "I call upon the 
Great Spirit to guide him. Oh, Santnoh ! What 
is the wisdom we have known? Nothing! The 
true wisdom I have received from the white Kon- 
gateh. Go to him, also, and learn what it is to 
live. Taco-taka can never be a Kongateh." 

This he said with the best of feelings, then what 
was his surprise to see Santnoh leap upwards and 
stare at him with horrified aspect. 

" Does my eye prove false," he cried, " is this my 
bosom's child? Does the storm enter my ears? 
My child gone to the foe ! The stars have indeed 
vanished before the rising sun, and Santnoh falls 
at the feet of Unaik. Down sinks his honors and 
his name, in clouds and darkness, is borne by the 
winds away. Spirits of departed warriors, and 
thou, the shadowy Kongateh of my dreams, howl 
the song on the hills afar, as Santnoh leaves the 
world. But, no I The time has not yet come ! 
Santnoh has friends though Taco-taka be lost. 
Santnoh will yet save his people. I will, in life, 
stay the downfall of the Cherokees. Now let war 



70 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

come, leb our foes be destroyed ere others come, and 
our own mountain home is free ! " 

He then quickly returned to the forest deter- 
mined once more to seek Hiantuga, who he learned 
had gone back to his lodge on the Tuckasege ; but 
pursuing a direct route scarcely heeding obstacles. 
Santnoh arrived there in advance of the war- 
chief. Hiantuga had traveled on in deep thought 
resolved upon hostilities of some sort against the 
pale faces. At this interview, both chiefs were in 
full accord; but to urge Hiantuga to instant action, 
Santnoh related the tradition of an ancient sage, 
who had predicted that the red man for their 
bloody ways, should in time be driven away before 
the pale faces, that the water courses should shrink 
and the hills be cut down ; a saying about which 
he had often pondered without coming to a solu- 
tion until lately when the full meaning suddenly 
flashed upon him. Would Hiantuga live to see the 
evil day ? That indignant chief drew himself up 
to his stature and after a deep inspiration said: 
" Hiantuga can indeed fall, but who shall drive him 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 71 

away ?" The conversation then turned upon the fire- 
arms of the Spaniards, termed by the natives, the 
little thunders, and about the self-scalping feat of 
Oliviera. After further deliberations they came to 
the conclusion that with superior numbers, re- 
sources and stratagem, the en^my would soon be 
overpowered and for the first time Santnoh smiled 
for joy. By fostering hatred for the Spaniards, 
and harping upon the desecration of the sepul- 
chres, they began in their present vicinity to or- 
ganize a powerful league among the chiefs. Soon 
they sent abroad messengers to chiefs, more remote 
and not under the immediate influence of Augi- 
chee. But their main desire was to obtain the con- 
currence of the vaunted chief Hilnota, who re- 
sided near the Creek country, and for this purpose 
they sent Stikititla. As weeks must have inter- 
vened before he could join them with his braves 
and confederate chiefs, they determined to advance 
at once towards Charna and hold a secret war 
council at the great town house near that place. 
They assembled around them as they went some of 



72 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

the most turbulent of the tribe over whom they 
held a sway ; these after due instructions were sent 
out with the war token, and with as much secrecy 
as possible to the various townships scattered with- 
in the space of six days journey, Augichee and 
those who could not be influenced by these secret 
emisaries were passed over by strict instructions 
in the general summons. But however secret these 
movements were, some notices of them did not fail 
to reach Augichee and the Spaniards. Oliviera 
had received early information through the nephew 
of Stikititla, whose services he had bought by oc- 
casional supplies of aquadiente. Full of self im- 
portance, full of the brags he so frequently made, 
he expressed a resolution to repair to the council in 
a disguise that would enable him to mix unob- 
served in the crowd during the night. Having 
made the banter too openly, calmer reflections and 
appeals came too late to admit of an abandonment 
of so dangerous an enterprise. 

The council house was a large conical edifice, 
built of poles and bark on a slightly elevated hill 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 73 

a very few leagues from Oharna, a small babbling 
rivulet flowed at the base, while around in a sort 
of a semicircle arose undulating heights covered 
with timber. A more secluded spot could scarcely 
be imagined. As the guide led the way, Oliviera 
followed Avith an indescribable dread of discovery 
or treabhery, using great circumspection. Several 
times he was on the point of retreating, but each 
time the dread of pursuit and capture deterred him, 
for he knew that many Indians were still on the 
way to the council. As he drew near, the 
scene presented to his view was not at all calcu- 
lated to reassure his spirits. A chill star-lit sky 
reigned on high, from whence a thin vapor, more 
perceptible to the feelings than to the sight, had 
settled towards the earth, rendering the outlines of 
objects less defined. Before him rose in the dark 
a shapeless mass, around which he saw a number 
of indistinct forms in motion, or in stationary^ 
groups, all reminding one more of the abode of dis- 
embodied spirits than of aught earthly. Oliviera's; 
fears were overcome at last by the antagonistic prin- 
4 



*^4: CHROi^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

ciples of sliame and prudence ; so worming his way 
through the motley crowd in front of the door, he 
reached it just as the council fire was about to be 
kindled in the center of the interior; and when this 
was done the horrors of the moment were but in- 
creased. The light made the darkness of the 
smoked interior the more apparent, while it re- 
vealed the gi'im savages, ranged around in all the 
appalling disfigurements of their warlike and un- 
couth ornaments. 

Shortly after Augichee arrived. He had been 
apprized of the movement late in the day before 
and had travelled hither with all haste. There 
was no change from his ordinary dress — the bear- 
skin still hung down his back and from beneath it 
gleamed a bright hatchet, affixed to his belt, the 
only weapon he wore. This unexpected appear- 
ance threw the ringleaders into some consternation, 
but no sooner had he taken his seat, than Santnoh 
arose and said: "Let the aged speak." At this 
Augichee, rising slowly, said : 

^' Warriors ! But yesterday, when the sun had 



CHROJ^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 75 

sunk beneath the hills, I was in the wigwam smok- 
ing the calumet of peace, when suddenly screamed 
aloft the eagle of war. The cry went through all 
the land. The aged could not rest his limbs. 
That cry drove sleep away. Through the dark 
night I followed the sounds of war. Here stands 
Augichee. This is the war council. A war against 
whom ? A handful of peaceful men who came 
here to dig the earth for stones. Fallen, fallen are 
the Cherokees if they speak with forked tongues 
and regard not the clasping of hands nor the force 
of treaties. Shall the Cherokee kill his brothers ? 
Augichee wars not against the pale faces. War- 
riors, I have said." 

The next that spoke was Hiantuga, bold, daring, 
full of fire : " 'Tis not the young who speaks, 'tis 
my father's spirit that gives me words. The pale 
faces are treacherous. 'Tis they who speak with 
forked tongues. Weak are they now, so was once 
the oak. Peaceful will they be so long as they are 
weak. Take my advice, chiefs, attack them now. 
The spark that falls among the dry leaves may be 



76 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

easily put out with the foot, neglect it and soon the 
mountains are involved in a general conflagration. 
Drive the pale faces away or let them die ere they 
overshadow the red man." 

Augichee now rose again. Somewhat excited, 
but soon subduing his emotion, he proceeded with 
calmness : 

" Chiefs and warriors, when the pale faces came 
they asked for leave to dig among the stones of the 
hills ; we said dig. We said the Great Spirit sent 
the rain and gave the game — eat and drink with 
us. We smoked the calumet of peace and, as the 
smoke went up, Augichee said who knows but 
these men may bring good to the Oherokees. Aug- 
ichee's heart felt big towards them. Sickness 
came. Santnoh said, I must go to the spirit land 
and he sung the death song. Then Unaik, sent by 
the Master of Life, raised me up and taught me 
wisdom. Food is necessary for man, but far more 
that wisdom. The wisdom of the red man is dark- 
ness and thunder. 

Santnoh hastily sprung up and interrupted 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 77 

him thus : " Fallen is the great chief of 
the Oherokees. He speaks words that should cause 
each warrior to raise his tomahawk and utter the 
war whoop. The Great Spirit of the Oherokees, 
the wisdom of our ancestors whose bones lie mould- 
ering and polluted on our hills — are they to yield 
to the pale faces ? Has Augichee turned traitor ? 
Has he lost the red blood in his age? Let him 
fear the curse of the evil-eye or the blast from the 
spirit land. Warriors, Augichee leads us no more 
on the war-path. Warriors, speak if the red blood 
still warms your hearts." 

Then a savage yell began within the lodge, and 
caught up by those without, made the hills re- 
sound and re-echo with that most fearful note, the 
war whoop. This told Augichee, too plainly, that 
for the first time in his long career he was 
abandoned by his people. The thoughts of de- 
parted greatness and a mixed emotion of indigna- 
tion and boiling wrath rose within him. Deprived 
of reason for a time he advanced toward Santnoh 
with the uplifted hatchet, exclaimiug: "Then the 



78 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

war begins here." Yontliful vigor and manly 
strength seemed to pervade his form, but the next 
moment the hatchet dropped from his nerveless 
grasp as if paralyzed, and he stood like a statue 
with his eyes turned upwards. 

The wiley Santnoh, pointing at him, uttered 
these words with a hissing sound: "The curse of 
the evil one upon him who supports our enemies." 
All eyes were ri vetted upon the aged chief in the 
belief he was under a supernatural spell, which 
belief estranged even his nearest friends. But he 
resumed a look of cool and calm composure, saying 
at the same time: "Augichee's hands shall never 
more be stained with blood." He then walked out 
of the council, and from this time he must be 
considered as virtually deposed. The council then 
resolved to massacre the Spaniards to a man, lest 
some might escape to return on a future day with 
forces to take vengeance on the Oherokees. But 
one voice was raised in mercy, and but for one man 
— Hiantuga pleaded for Unaik — all in vain, till 
Santnoh reluctantly yielded the point, fearing to 



CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 79 

alienate the young war chief. As the Indians ex- > 
pectecl considerable resistance to their penetrating- 
within the fort, the time for action was put off for 
one moon to allow a full collection of forces and 
the arrival of Hilnota. They then proclaimed 
death to any one who should inform the Spaniards 
of this meeting and that he should also bear the 
curse of the medicine man. 

Oliviera had escaped detection so far. Having 
learned enough of the purpose and aim of the 
council, he descended the hill with stealthy steps 
to take the route to Charna, where some comrades 
were waiting at an appointed spot, hoping to hurry 
on without stopping to the fort. It was well he 
had left so early, for the wild orgies or ceremonies 
of the savages attained their height soon after- 
wards, and he continued to hear those dismal 
Avhoops resounding through the forest for some 
distance as he proceeded. He was unaware, that 
just then it was the custom of warriors to scatter 
themselves around and inspect the ground; and 
thus the footprints of a white man were detected. 



80 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

On turning round, wliile hurrying on he saw, dis- 
mayed, two or three torchlights fast appoaching 
on his tracks. He examined his pistols, as a last 
resource, then hastened on the way, which in the 
trepidation of the moment he unfortunately 
missed by winding at the base of a hill. The 
further he pressed the more he diverged from 
the right path. After some time so spent, the 
route was regained towards Charna. Meanwhile, 
the warwhoops still continued in the distance, 
though the torches were no longer seen; the 
presumption was, the Indians had gone back. 

Santnoh was about to quit also, when his prac- 
ticed ear detected footsteps, which he knew to be those 
of a white man, and he hid himself among some 
bushes. The sharp twang of a bow, a pang in the 
shoulder arrested Oliviera. His pistols were ready, 
but where to direct the shot he knew not, so throw- 
ing himself on the ground, as if mortally wounded, 
he awaited the appearance of the enemy, in which 
event, he was not deceived. He shot at Santnoh 
twice, in rapid succession but without effect, for 



CHROl^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 81 

Oliviera tliougli expert with the knife, was a bad 
marksman with firearms. The next moment 
Santnoh brandished a war club oyer Oliviera 
ready to slay him. 

Teodoro, who w^as among the men posted near 
Charna, becoming uneasy about the safety of 
Oliviera, went out to meet him on his return. 
He had reached the place about the same time, 
when the lights caused him to take shelter in 
the bushes. The discharge of pistols revealed what 
was going on. He rushed forward regardless of 
consequences. Oliviera had been disabled by a 
blow, and the Indian was about to give the 
finishing stroke, when he was suddenly dis- 
armed and overpowered. Santnoh's strength forsook 
him when he recognized Teodoro, for he saw an 
evil augury for the future, the more that he was 
prostrate and in the power of the white Kongateh. 

He groaned out saying, " Will Unaik slay 
Santnoh ?" "No!" answered Teodoro, in a voice of 
thunder, " Flee and learn to be merciful to a fallen 
foe." On finding himself released, Santnoh imme- 
diately fled, pursued by supernatural terrors. 



82 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

Eor haying witnessed his humiliation, for having 
allowed the enemy to escape, Oliviera hated Teo- 
doro the more, even while with the aid indispensa- 
ble to him in his crippled condition, he was sup- 
ported till he should meet the guard near Charna 
:.and reach the fort in safety. 




CHAPTER IV, 

^^N the next day, at a sort of a council held 
at the fort, Oliviera blazed forth the night 
adventure and claimed the credit of daring 
valor. When he spoke of the combat with Sant- 
noh it was in the most exaggerated terms, taking 
care to apply the harshest epithets to Teodoro, who 
refused to kill an unarmed man. He maintained 
that he could, though disabled, have easily killed 
his opponent but for the unseasonable interference 
of Teodoro. 

He declared the prospects of the expedition very 
threatning, but he feared not to contemplate them, 
because he felt the Spaniards must come out 
victorious in the strife. In conclusion he urged 
the immediate seizure of hostages, as had been 
before determined, but with the additional inten- 
tion that, should it become necessary, the Indian 

code of blood for blood might be turned against 

83 



84 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

them. He now asked Teodoro if he could defend 
his conduct before the company, and further, what 
was his adyice in the emergency. To which the 
latter replied : " Don Carlos and Senors — If it is a 
crime to spare a powerless man, then I am guilty, 
I plead no more. I was not brought up to the 
profession of arms. Senors, I am asked for advice. 
Permit me to say that a pacific policy towards the 
Indians is best under all circumstances. To main- 
tain peace we must be just. It is contemplated to 
seize Eusteka and others as hostages. What would 
result from the capture of Eusteka but the aliena- 
tion of one of our most valued and tried friends — 
her father ? Would not the Indians be the more 
incensed ; would they not endeavor to recapture 
the hostages or retaliate ? Is it not wiser — I should 
say more prudent — to yield in some degree at least 
to their prejudices ? This might be done without 
detriment to the expedition, by commencing in 
good faith to build another fort on the opposite 
hill, which, while it commands the approach to the 
mines, would be beyond the precincts of the burial 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 85 

ground. If you, Senors, should so decide, no 
doubt amicable relations may be established. In 
conclusion, we are here as strangers and need to 
conciliate the favor of the red man that provisions 
may be supplied to us." 

These views not being in accord with the lieu- 
tenant, he again charged Teodoro, as in league 
with the enemy, as proved by many evidences of a 
mutual understanding between them. Having 
said this, Oliviera assumed airs of great authority, 
and resorted to threatning language. Though 
somewhat nettled at the arrogance of this man, 
Don Carlos could not well forego his services, nor 
resist his popularity in the expedition. In fact, 
without his knowledge, he was a mere tool in the 
hands of this unscrupulous ofiicer. Preparations 
were therefore made to seize Eusteka and such 
others as might be deemed prudent. 

Just at this juncture as if to facilitate this 
scheme, Augichee, with his family, came to 
Wahu to receive those consolations in his 
distress which his soul yearned to obtain of 



86 CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 

Unaik, his friend. Abandoned by his people, 
degraded, shorn of all influence, now with 
his purpose and aim in life so truly changed, he 
needed encouragement and support. The night 
was dark and drizzly, when Teodoro, who had been 
informed of the chiefs desire, started to visit him. 
It was a matter of no little difficulty to avoid the 
vigilance of Indian scouts, who were always prowl- 
ing about the vicinity. He had succeeded well till 
almost in Wahu, but when near the place, Hian- 
tuga tracked him as if by instinct, till he met 
Augichee in front of a lodge that stood apart from 
the rest. They saluted each other with joy, in the 
Indian mode, which is by grasping the elbows of 
each other. The old chief said he had lost all 
power to serve his brother, for bad men ruled in 
the council of the Cherokees. "As you for told, 
my trials have indeed come, but I will hold on in 
the path I have chosen." 

"M7igu7i pantano se encitentra en el eamino,^^ said 
Teodoro, in Castilian. " You will meet with no 
quagmire on the road," then he testified supreme 



CHROiTICLES OF FLORIDA. 87 

joy in finding him the same mind. "Stay not," he 
entreated, "but go back with Eusteka and Taco-taka 
without delay. Go at once and before dawn. 
These are the words of a friend." On his part 
Augichee warned Teodoro to keep within the fort 
after the present night. It was evident neither 
could divulge more to the other, and so far the 
duties of friendship had been observed. Calling 
the family around them, after brief religious exer- 
cises, Teodoro declared that he had a presentment, 
that his life on earth was about to close, but did not 
feel a sorrow on that account, but rather rejoiced. 
In departing, he thanked the Great Spirit that he 
had been honored to testify the truth, even to suffer 
in proof of his faith. Then said the chief, " Au- 
gichee's life is almost spent. He wishes to be 
buried beside his brother." After a few more 
words, they parted to meet under far different cir- 
cumstances. 

Immediately afterwards the chief heard footsteps, 
and Hiantuga soon appeared before him. ^Yhen 
the young warrior had seen an unknown person 



88 CHRONICLES OF PLORIDA. 

take the path to the lodge, haunted by suspicions 
of foul play, he followed to a crevice where he 
could easily see and hear what was going on. His 
words now were, " When the man stood before you 
my eye was upon my arrow and upon him. I then 
heard all, I knew Unaik. He is a good man. 
Hiantuga will watch over him." Then whistling 
the note of a bird, two Indians came to meet him, 
whom he sent to follow the stranger to the fort, 
and keep him from danger. The family, with 
Hiantuga, then decided to start in the early dawn 
for Attinka, where the young war chief should re- 
ceive his bride. With these illusory plans they 
parted for the night." 

One of the Indians sent to protect Teodoro, was 
the spy employed on a former occasion by Oliviera, 
who thought it was that person he was now follow- 
ing. Teodoro was about half way on his return, 
when he was surprised to meet Oliviera and a party 
going to entrap Eusteka. They pressed him to 
turn back, but he positively refused. In the mean- 
time, an Indian boldly came, who declared to 



CHROl^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 89 

Oliviera, that he had been following him, since he 
had parted with Angichee. Startled at such an 
announcement, Oliviera took the Indian aside, and 
after vigorous questions, came to the conclusion 
that Teodoro held secret intelligence, not only with 
Augichee, but with the war chief. He then gave 
orders to arrest and bind the traitor who had given 
warning to Augichee. A squad was detailed to 
conduct the prisoner, with the Indian, within the 
fort. 

In the dark of the morning, a single Spaniard 
called at the entrance of Augichee's lodge, when 
all were plunged in the soundest morning sleep. 
He stated that Teodoro had despatched him to con- 
duct Eusteka and Taco-taka out of harm's way im- 
mediately. The unsuspecting old man hurried his 
son and daughter, with directions they should go 
with the stranger to Attinha, whilst he got ready 
to follow with Hiantuga. Thus they were led into 
the very midst of the Spanish party and thence to 
the block house, when the spy was dismissed under 
pledges with presents. An Indian scout who 



90 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

witnessed some of these transactions near the fort, 
brought word to Hiantuga. His fury knew no 
bounds. Driven by its violence he hurried to 
Augichee, to organize a force sufficient to sweep 
the pale faces from the earth. 

But the old man received the intelligence with 
his head bowed down in calm resignation, little in 
unison with the burning wrath of the young war 
chief. 

Chiusteh's grief overwhelmed her — her severest 
trial had come. The villagers crowded to the 
lodge, and as they heard of the capture, each 
vowed vengeance. 

The old chief now rose in solemn grandeur, 
softened however by tenderness for his afflicted 
wife, whom he approached. "Chiusteh," he said, 
" we have offended the Great Spirit. He has par- 
doned us. Remember, after sorrows here, we shall 
all meet again in the happy land. Sorrow is but 
for time — ^joy lasts forever. Why mourn for Taco- 
taka; why mourn for Eusteka ? Behold, the Great 
Spirit watches over them, loves them more than we 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA.. 91 

can." At this, Chiiisteli breathed forth these- 
words : " Eorgiye a woman ; true, our children are 
safe." 

Then suddenly seizing Hiantuga by the hand,, 
Augichee said: '*Be assured, Eusteka loves Hian- 
tuga — she will do what is right ; she will be de- 
livered. Tell me, you who are a Skiagusteh, a 
master spirit among the Oherokees, are you not 
weary with this world of sorrow and violence ?" 
Hiantuga bit his lips, but made no reply. 

In consequence of this seizure, the Indians re- 
doubled their vigilance and increased their prepara- 
tions for a vigorous attack. Erom this time no 
Spaniard dare leave the immediate vicinity of the' 
fort, except in well armed squads. Within two or 
three days, notwithstanding the care they had taken 
of the prisoners, Taco-taka had escaped and re- 
joined his friends. 

Shortly after this, matters were brought to a 
crisis sooner than was anticipated, and before the- 
arrival of the redoubtable chief, Hilnota. It 
happened on this wise. On an excessively cold 



'92 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

night, while a severe snow storm, accompanied with 
sleet, prevailed outdoors, the inmates of the fort 
were surprised to hear a plaintive female voice, 
ivhose melancholy tones arose from below in the 
intervals or lulls of the fitful north wind. The 
words were Cherokee, and every now and then the 
burthens which could be distinguished from the 
rest, rang thus : 

The cold wind blasts the early flower, 
White man pity the lonely maiden. 

Perhaps these lines, which an amateur poet com- 
posed afterwards, may serve as a version. 

[The English version is still worse, but here 

it is] : 

Untimely love, misplaced love, 

A spark that falls upon the snow, 
The arrow that finds the lonely dove, 
Breasting on high the northern wind. 

At one fell swoop she dropped below. 
To icy death her form resigned. 

The cold winds rush from yonder heaven, 
White man, pity the lonely maiden. 

Untimely love, misplaced love, 

A flower that opes in winter, when 
Balmy breeze from the sun above 
Deceitful breathes of hope and joy, 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 9$ 

And birds begin to sing again, 
When sudden cold and frost destroy. 

The cold wind blasts the early flower, 
White man, pity the lonely rover. 

Untimely love, misplaced love, 

How burns the cold ? How blows the wind ? 
The limbs, benumbed, refuse to move, 
Life flutters only at the heart. 

Now sleep descends the sense to bind, 
Sweet sleep that never will desert. 

The cold wind blows, why let it then, 
Forever sleeps the lonely maiden. 

As the possibility of a stratagem was feared, no 
one ventured out ; the sounds gradually became 
fainter and died in a moan, then the storm reigned 
alone. 

At dawn, Pacheco returned with the expected 
reinforcements. On rounding the hill to the 
ascent he discovered the body of an Indian female, 
lying prone on the snow. He turned the body- 
over. It was Omuna — dead ! Pacheco fell sense- 
less. On recovery, he could scarcely be separated 
from her lifeless remains. Frequently he uttered r 
*'0h, had we lived separate from all the world 
besides I " 



.94 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

A belief prevailed that Omuna, unable to endnre 
the long absence of Don Pacheco, fearing he was 
sick, and becoming distracted on this account, came 
towards the fort to seek information, and was on 
the way and without shelter when the storm over- 
took her. We shall soon see what influence her 
■death had on the fate of the expedition. 

When Don Pacheco had embraced his father, he 
'gave orders for the decent burial of Omuna, whose 
character he publicly pronounced above suspicion ; 
he then retired to a private portion of the fort to 
indulge in the intensity of his grief. 

The reinforcement, now arrived, consisted of 
-about thirty-six men, one of whom, the Padre Eiquez, 
was a travelling ecclesiastic, ascetic and severe 
.solely through educational influences, for otherwise 
he would have proved a man of generous impulses. 
His own native city of Seville was justly shocked 
;at the mere relation of the bloody sacrifices of 
the Mexican priesthood, but would hail with holy 
^eal an auto-da-fe. 

Don Pacheco found them near Cowetta. On en- 



CHKONICLES OF FLOKIDA. 95 

tering the Cherokee country they had been threat- 
ened with opposition, but by marching mostly at 
night, and being favored by the inclemency of the 
weather, they succeeded in reaching their place of des- 
tination in safety, bringing along a few horses, some 
necessaries and a supply of ammunition. At 
Achitta he learned of the recent visit of a few Eng- 
lishmen to that place, which event Don Carlos re- 
garded as adding to his other difficulties. 

The first question of Andreo was about his 
friend. All to whom he applied averted the eye 
and remained silent. At length approached the 
young friend who had always been detailed to as- 
sist Teodoro as commissary, but he himself was too 
full for utterance. Then came Oliviera, who said 
'^Your friend Teodoro is safe in prison. I now arrest 
you upon charges of high crimes and misdemeanor 
against the expedition." In the cell where Teodoro 
was chained, Eusteka was also confined. On seeing 
Andreo, the former was moved greatly saying : *-A 
second time you find me thus, but I grieve to think 
the charges against me now are not for maintaining 



96 CHROmCLES OF PLOEIDA. 

the truth. Let us pray for our enemies, and peti- 
tion that we we may not be permitted to suffer as 
malefactors." While engaged in their religious, 
exercises, one portion of their hymn, which has 
been preserved by the sentry, was as follows (which 
I give almost verbally in English, not metrically :) 

Bear up nor resign to grief, 
The journey of hfe so brief ; 

Bend meekly 'neath chastisement, 
Oft in kindest mercy sent ; 

Look upwards, the goal is near, 
Christ the humble soul will cheer. 

While so engaged. Padre Riquez opened the door 
and stood among them. 

In the open court of the fort Don Carlos was- 
deliberating about the proper disposal of the mules- 
Avhich had survived, and of the horses recently- 
brought. As the beasts of burthen could not all 
be quartered in the fort, it was unfortunately de- 
cided without due military caution, to erect a 
shelter on the outside — in close proximity to the 
entrance — as tlie cannon placed above it was 
thought sufficient to defend the approach. Work- 



CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 9?' 

men were set about the work and a foraging party 
detailed to go into the cane brakes after forage for 
the subsistence of the horses through the winter. 

The new comers were greatly alarmed at the- 
unexpected difficulties with the natives, but 
Oliviera reassured them by saying that the Indians- 
were cowardly and easily terrified with fire arms. 
Besides, he was engaged in forming a party among 
them who should be subsidized to take up arms; 
against the rest, when he should come in and 
decide the contest for good in behalf of the 
Spaniards. Teodoro and Andreo had had secret 
intelligence with the chiefs, and had thrown diffi- 
culties in the way, but they were now imprisoned ; 
so was Eusteka, tlie chiefs daughter, w^ho was to 
become his wife in due time. Hostages would 
soon be captured and the Spaniards w^ould thus 
have it in their power to retaliate. He intended 
to send for more men together with some choice 
blood hounds so soon as the season opened, he 
would then be ready to compel work in the mines 
to be resumed. 
5 



98 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

Just then, Riquez, with horror depicted on his 
countenance, rushed into their presence exclaiming : 
''Diavolos! Diavolos! I exorcise them. Holy Peter 
and Paul, the Holy Virgin of Toledo and all 
the saints witness against them. What impiety! 
I exorcise them, Diavolos !" Frantic with emotion, 
he went on gesticulating, with the cross in his 
hand, frothing out epithets, while the audience 
stood aghast not knowing what it all meant. "What" 
asked one, blanching at the thought, " are the In- 
dians upon us?" "Worse," he exclaimed, "holy 
inquisition, don't you understand me? The heretics 
are here." Some one exclaimed: "The padre means 
the English!" and without waiting further many 
rushed for the battlements, and a scene of uproar and 
confusion ensued. "Are you mad?" Riquez shouted 
out, "the heretics are there !" pointing to the cell 
where the prisoners were kept. 

In the din of the moment, Don Pacheco was 
roused from his grief and came forward; his soul 
had passed through a severe trial, and the traces 
were left imprinted upon the haggard and pa'e 



CHRON'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 99 

countenance. He found Eiquez, (though now in 
a hollow solemn voice) still declaring how the com- 
pany entertained among them the most dangerous 
of heretics, men who were pursued by the Avrath of 
heaven — proscribed by the faithful everywhere — 
whose presence brought pestilence, war and famine 
— for whom the hurricane gathered its force that 
it might sweep them aAvay — the earth opened her 
strong jaws to swallow them — the lightning — aye 
the lightning of heaven flashed against them, and 
the thunders bellowed their curse. A deadly pal or 
seized the auditors, who saw the most appalling 
evils impending on their heads; though, they them- 
selves were sie^npre fiel. By this time it was 
pretty well known that Teodoro and Andreo were 
indicated in this charge. 

Oliviera, well pleased, now proposed that liiquez 
should order the heretics to be disposed of as he 
might think best. This being approved by some, 
Eiquez said : " Now, if they will not repent I will 
giA'e them over for the destruction of their bodies." 
It was now that Don Paclieco interposed. " Do 



100 CHROIS'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

you know what you propose? I will tell you, the 
destruction of the purest and best men. Kill them 
and take your proper names of murderers. I know 
Andreo well — a man as bold as a lion, but meek as 
a lamb, a man indeed, but with a woman's tender 
heart. Is he not a Christian ? "Which of you would 
be more ready to sacrifice his life for a friend, nay 
for an enemy? AVhich of you, when tortured with 
hunger, would deny himself food to give it to a 
famishing companion as he did for days to me on 
our last journey? Teodoro has served you well, to 
him you owe your present subsistence. He is no 
heretic or traitor. Had you followed his advice, 
the Indians would not this day be our enemies. 
Destroy them if you will, but let my lot be with 
them." 

Don Carlos, seeing the sulky condition of his 
son, entreated Eiquez and Oliviera to postpone 
further action for the present, " For," added he, 
"it is not his true sentiments he now expresses, 
but the result of a diseased imagination, which will 
give way when his strefigth shall be recruited. Do 



CHRON^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 101 

nothing now to increase his ilhiess ; in due time 
shall those heretics be richly dealt with." 

They acquiesced in silence, andDo n Pacheco en- 
tered the prison chamber. 



s 



CHAPTER V. 

|REVIOUS to the occurences last detailed,. 
Augichee had made several attempts to rati- 
'^ som Eusteka, failing in these, he had desired 
to be allowed an interview with her, which was also 
denied. Taco-taka proposed also to return to con- 
finement on the condition of the liberation of his 
sister, but Oliviera declared emphatically that 
Eusteka was with him from choice. This declara- 
tion brought painful surmises to the minds of 
Chiusteh and Hiantuga, but the old man and his 
son maintained their trust in the fidelity of 
Eusteka. 

During those abortive iiegotations, Hiantuga 
visited the old chief very frequently, and in those 
interviews he began to imbibe the elements of a 
new belief. His mind still wavered between 

accepting or rejecting them, when word was- 

102 



CHEOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 103 

brought that a number of new pale faces had 
arrived at the fort, and on reaching the base of the 
hill they had killed an Indian woman — supposed 
to be Eusteka, in the act of escaping — and had 
carried the body away. Maddened by this thought, 
Hiantuga resolved upon immediate action. The 
coming night was to witness his vengeance. 

The night set in cold, and all around was a 
dreary waste of snow, above which arose the dark 
masses of the leafless forests, holding melancholy 
converse with the winds from the mountain tops* 
Fearing no assault in such an inclement night, the 
Spaniards collected around two fires in the open 
court and indulged in the sociable feelings of the 
moment. The new comers gave an account of 
their past adventures. The pioneers of the expe- 
dition spoke of their prospects. Then some ex- 
cellent wine, which had been recently brought, 
was passed around. Music and songs brought 
before the minds Castilian fields and maids. Nor 
was the youthful poet and drummer forgotten 
then. For the rest, Don Carlos paced around as 



104 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

•one whose mind was ill at ease, while his son sat 
by the fire, not at all interested in what was going 
on. The prisoners — who were confined in one of 
the wiugs — were, evidently from the low sonnds in 
that direction, engaged in devotional exercises. 
Sometime after midnight the merriment had in a 
measnre ceased, and the greater part of the com- 
pany was locked in sleep. The sentry usually 
posted over the gateway was permitted to withdraw 
on account of the cold, the other sheltered below 
near the gate, being thought sufficient. 

Things wore on in this wise till the dark of the 
morning, when a sudden, shrill and appalling war- 
whoop rang overhead, while a volley of arrows 
were shot into the midst of the sleepers. The 
Indians had ascended the walls over the horse 
shelter and held complete command of the western 
end of the fort. Seeing Don Carlos badly, though 
not dangerously wounded, Don Pacheco, aroused 
from his lethargy, called upon the men to arm and 
follow him. It was the work of a moment for 
many to collect at the eastern extremity of the 



CHR02TICLES OF FLORIDA. 105 

court. Here, by well-directed shots at the heights 
on the opposite side, now in possession of the 
enemy, they enabled others to rally around Don 
Pacheco. The battle then raged. On one side 
were the Spaniards, discharging their muskets and 
carbines as fast as they could load them, to repel the 
advance of the Indians ; while the latter on their 
side tore up the logs for defence or hurled them 
below upon those who had been wounded, at the 
same time, the twang of the bows, and the sharp 
hiss of the arrows threatened to silence the guns. 
At one moment a body of Indians descended into 
the court and rushed towards the Spaniards with 
their tomahawks and clubs, but a volley of shots 
did such execution that the survivors retreated 
with precipitation to seek shelter behind the logs 
of the battlements. But amidst the warwhoop 
and din of battle one voice was heard, one chief 
was seen leading everywhere — it was Hiantuga. In 
the work of destruction the Indians came to the 
place where the prisoners were confined. Just 
then they were preparing to set the fort on fire, 



106 CHKON"ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

and the hope of resistance on the part of the 
garrison seemed almost at an end, the more so that 
the way to the ammunition was under the control 
of the enemy, and the supply now on hand was 
well nigh exhausted. The battle then rested upon 
a forlorn and desperate effort. 

At this critical moment the voice of Eusteka 
reached Hiantuga — he forsook the fight to fly to 
her rescue. She had been led outside with her 
fellow prisoners, and a little beyond the g.ite, the 
•captors were about to sacrifice the latter. It was 
her screams to save her friends that reached the 
war chief. Like a flash of lightning he came upon 
them, caught Eusteka in his arms, and dashed 
down the uplifted hatchet then ready to slay 
Andreo, crying: "Spare them! They are onr 
friends ! " After placing them under guard for 
safety, and leaving Eusteka with them, he rnshed 
back to the fort ; but matters were there changed. 
His absence had decided the contest. Unanimated 
by the example of their leader, the warriors had 
dropped back and slackened the fight, while the 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 107 

Spaniards rapidly advanced, cheered on by Don 
Pacheco, who commanded them to press forward, 
exclaiming : " The day is ours ! " This movement 
drove the enemy to the extremity of the western 
battlements, gave opportunity to extinguish the 
fires that had been kindled, and restored the maga- 
zine and swivel to the use of the garrison. Now 
came forward Oliviera, Eiquez, and several others 
who had either secreted themselves through fear, 
or perhaps had been rendered useless by their 
position; these were, by order of Don Pacheco, 
placed under command of Lopez, a man of un- 
doubted bravery and a veteran in former services, 
Oliviera was too much alarmed for his personal 
safety to resist this order, knowing himself entirely 
unequal to the exigency. The enemy were upon 
the point of quitting the heights, or of being pre- 
cipitated below, when Hiantuga appeared among 
them. A savage warwhoop was given, a partial 
advance attempted, when the war chief received a 
mortal wound. The Spaniards, cheered on by 
their leaders, sent a murderous discharge of shot at 



108 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

such as attempted to make a stand or an advance. 
The Indians then retreated by means of vines 
attached to the battlements and over a portion of 
the horse shelter within their reach, and in so 
doing managed to carry off some of their dead and 
wounded. 

While Teodoro and Andreo, in great anxiety for 
the fate of their comrades, stood guarded near the 
mining pit, a chief, fainting from the loss of bloody 
was borne near them. Teodoro recognized Sant- 
noh. The blood still welled from a wound in the 
arm, which by his request Teodoro was allowed to 
inspect and arrest. When Santnoh had recovered 
full consciousness he said: " The white Kongateh; 
always the white Kongateh. Unaik is the friend 
of Santnoh." 

Shortly after, the retreat went on with the 
greatest haste, and the two white men were left 
alone. They then returned to the fort to deliver 
themselves up, but were set at large by Don 
Pacheco, then in command. It was day; a truly 
sad spectacle presented itself. The partially dis- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 109 

mantled fort, with marks of incendiarism, rose 
amidst a hill of crimsoned snow. Before the gate, 
on the west and in the moat, the space was strewn 
with corpses. Inside of the fort the marks of 
combat were still more horrible. When the muster 
roll was called, seventeen men were found dead, up- 
wards of thirty more or less severely wounded, and 
two unaccountably missing. The Indians must 
have brought to the assault some three hundred 
warriors, of whom, it was conjectured, they sus- 
tained the loss of at least one-third. 

This was a day of sorrow to the company. Their 
attention was divided in burying the dead, min- 
istering to the wounded (of whom two died), re- 
pairing the breaches and making further prepara- 
tions for defense. In consequence of the severe 
wounds of Don Carlos and the present necessity 
Don Pacheco still retained command, assisted by 
Lopez, to the satisfaction of all but Oliviera and 
his warmest partizans. Oliviera, now smarting 
under what he now termed a degradation, en- 
deavored to defend his conduct at the beginning 



110 CHRONICLES OF PLORIDA. 

of the battle, which had been notoriously pusilani- 
mous, by stating that his intentions had been to 
fire the magazine under the Indians, though ample 
evidence existed to show that he was engaged in 
making a way of escape on the east. 

Pacheco's first care was to dismiss the few 
wounded prisoners with words of conciliation and 
peace to the chiefs, offering them permission to 
remove and bury their dead. He desired a confer- 
ence with them, and promised, in advance to 
evacuate the fort at the end of the winter, provided 
they would not oppose his building elsewhere. He 
admitted the wrong that had been done by seizing 
hostages, and promised not to countenance such 
conduct in the future. This act of clemency and 
oonciliation, together with their recent and disas- 
trous defeat, induced the chiefs who had fought, 
all except Santnoh, to advocate a talk of peace. 
They came the next day to bury their dead, and 
after mutual recriminations and concessions a sort 
of amnesty was established to terminate after due 
notice by either party. Nothing could be heard of 
the fate of the two Spaniards. 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. Ill 

The young war chief was borne to Wahu, whither 
Angichee and Ensteka accompanied him, in the 
hope by constant assiduity to give relief to the 
sufferer. When the ohl man knew that Teodoro 
had been brought out of the fort with Eusteka, he 
constantly regretted that the latter had not pre- 
vailed upon him to accompany her. Hiantuga 
lingered for a few days, and now the final scene 
drew nigh. Augichee knelt beside him, a little 
further off sat Eusteka, supported by her mother, 
both sobbing in the agony of their hearts, while at 
the foot stood Taco-taka, gazing in silent grief. 
Just then footsteps were heard and Santnoh ap- 
peared. According to Taco-taka, who was an 
adept in Cherokee poetry, having been brought up 
among the wise men, this was the song of the 
Kongateh, delivered in measured cadences and 
with grave movements : 

^' Shall the wounded warrior hear the war song? 
Let Santnoh sing the fame of Hiantuga. 
Let his name live among the warriors ; 
By his deeds they shall kindle the fires of war, 
' Who was Hiantuga?' our children shall say, 



112 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

' Hiantuga the first warchief of the red men, 
Who fought the fires of the pale faces. 
When their lightnings flashed, their thunders burst. 
His proud war whoop rose like the storm in its 
wrath.' " 

Hiantuga faintly called his attention and said, 
" Let Augichee, let my father sing the death song, 
not of war, not of blood — but of peace. Cease then 
to mention the bloody path of battle. I became a 
warchief to win Eusteka — I fought to revenge her 
death, now I go before her to the spirit land, the 
land of peace. Hiantuga has other thoughts. Au- 
gichee has told the truth. Sing, Augichee." The 
old man began in a low and plaintive tone, whilst 
Santnoh listened in wonder. The words were of 
peace, of love to God and man, of victory over 
death and of immortal life. New thoughts of a 
new belief were breathed in Avords, Avarm from the 
impulse of the heart. At every pause Hiantuga 
whispered "Truth." When Augichee had euded, 
Hiantuga called Eusteka to draw nearer; he then 
whispered : " I go in peace — will Eusteka meet me 
there ?" and while she pressed his hand in token 



CHROI^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 113 

of assent, a single word " peace," and a smile 
which passed not away, were the last signs of life 
exhibited by the chief. A lond wail rang among 
the hills. Santnoh left abruptly, saying to Augi- 
chee : " Thus have you corrupted the boldest war- 
rior of the Cherokees I" 

Eusteka died about six days after, of fever 
brought on by the trials through which she had 
passed. She never ceased to speak of Hiantuga 
while she lived, even in her delirium, she con- 
stantly called on her beloved. So soon as the 
weather would permit, their bodies were carried to 
be buried on a small hill, about which flows the 
rivulet Tola, within a league or two of Attinha, for 
there they had first plighted troth. They were 
buried there side by side at midnight. A long 
procession of friends followed them bearing 
torches. 

On a former occasion it was stated that a lad 
from Santa Fe had accompanied a friend in search 
of their fortunes. He became the drummer of the 
expedition, and was also gifted by nature with some 



114 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

poetical genius, which he exercised, however, 
rudely. To him or to Taco-taka, whatever metrical 
productions are here preserved, must be ascribed. 
I insert the following funeral dirge : 

Mourn for the dead, who never return 
From the tombs of their long sojourn, 
Follow them now, as we'll follow 
Them soon, in one continued flow. 
They rest from their woes, they rest from their foes. 
And their spirits have fled, like dew from the rose. 

Where is the spirits' home ? 

Where do our beloved roam ? 

Dark clouds must intervene 

'Till death reveals the scene. 
Mourn for the dead ? No ! Happy are they ! 
Mourn for the living— their woes display 
The anguished heart — the tearful eye, 
The tortured bosom's suppressed sigh. 

Bury the dead at dark midnight. 
Seek not the tombs in the sunny light. 
Darkness and woe are fitting mates. 
With every funeral intimates. 
So when morn shall return with her roseate crest, 
We shall seek for those who are at rest. 

We shall go to the scene 

Where their presence had been 

And there, their image dear 

Shall seem forever near. 
Oft shall we start when memory recalls, 
As evening's dewy shadow falls, 
The forms, the features that we love, 
And longing, hope to meet above. 



CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 115 

Not long after the battle, Don Pacheco was con- 
fined by sickness, and so Oliviera assumed the com- 
mand he had long coveted. He then proceeded 
again to imprison Teodoro and Andreo as enemies 
to the Spanish faith, and therefore natural allies of 
the English. He urged Riquez to excite the pre- 
judices of the company to the highest pitch 
against those men. "No doubt," said Riquez^ 
" those disasters we have suffered were sent in the 
wrath of Heaven, because we harbored heretics. 
Let us now show our true repentance by bring- 
ing them to trial. If they recant, well; if not^ 
we shall see." With this intent Riquez called on 
Don Carlos, who was still suffering from his 
wound, and under the fear of death liad entirely 
abandoned all his former aspirations and would, in- 
deed, prefer the walls of a monastery to his present 
position — and had thus undergone another mental 
phase and become childishly superstitious. These 
two, with natural bigotry, decided to appoint a 
commission, with powers of life and death — whose 
judgment should be final in the matter of those 



116 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

men. Oliviera, Eiqnez, and a tool of tlie former, 
by name Pedro Blanco, were constituted such. The 
prisoners were examined, teased and annoyed day 
.after day, and their confinement became extremely 
rigorous. Finally, they were put to the torture. 
Teodoro's more delicate frame gave way at once, 
and after the first question he could no longer use 
his limbs ; still his constancy remained, and greatly 
.awed Eiquez, whose nature was not harsh, and whose 
mental culture caused him to doubt the correctness 
•of his own actions. Andreo, whether from his own 
iron constitution or the greater leniency shown 
him, was little disabled. Far from denying their 
religious tenets, they gloried in them, but scorned 
.all idea of being traitors to the King, or in the pay 
of the English, as charged. Oliviera, finding 
Eiquez about to temporise, ordered them either to 
Tenounce their faith, or to prepare for trial the 
next day — that is, for condemnation. He did not 
wish to await for the possible recovery of Don 
Pacheco, for he looked upon those men as in the 
way of his ambition. 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 117 

Soon after this, Oliviera and some cavaliers rode 
out and when near the river came up to a single 
Indian, apparently on the way to the fort. The 
leader, viewing him as a spy, hailed him in insult- 
ing language, using an epithet very obnoxious to 
the Cherokees; whereupon the Indian, not the least 
daunted, returned taunts for taunts, till the wrath 
of Oliviera getting the better of his prudence he 
ordered a charge against the defenceless Indian, 
who was seized and mercilessly beaten. When 
turned loose the Indian asked : " Is this the way 
you keep the truce?" It is now believed that 
this Indian was Hilnota, himself. 

At night an individual, born indeed under the 
Spanish flag, but whose ancestry (regardless of 
earthly fame, yet anxious to. be inscribed 
in the Book of Life) had sacrificed all in 
the cause of religious liberty, contrived by 
management to secure the post of sentry over 
the prisoners in the latter watch. He enter- 
ed the cell unobserved, and he found the 
prisoners, for whom he was concerned, soundly 



118 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

asleep. Anclreo first awoke, and when he found 
the sentry was a long and tried companion, who 
had risked himself in their behalf, he entreated 
him to depart. But the latter urged them to 
prepare to escape, for he had made arrange- 
ments with Augichee to receive them, that even 
now Taco-taka was below awaiting to conduct 
them to the chief, with the consent of the 
heads of the nation. Teodoro replied briefly: 
" My children, it is my desire that you two shall 
escape from this place. For my part, I should but 
endanger your flight, and my loss of strength 
would again put me in the power of my enemies. 
Go, in mercy, and may the blessing of God accom- 
pany you." Andreo, being by this time liberated 
from his chains, rushed to the embrace of Teodoro, 
Baying : " We are one in life, let us if there is need 
be one in death. come, I will bear you on my 
shoulders in safety or perish with you in the at- 
tempt to escape. Stay not here to be butchered ; 
but if you are determined to stay I will not desert 
you in this extremity, but share your fate." Like- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 119 

wise said the sentry, only regretting that the drum- 
mer, who followed from Santa Fe, was not now 
with them, but lioped he would soon escape. Teo- 
doro could not endure this any longer, but still 
begged they Avould not hazard their lives for him. 
''Go, then," said he, " with my blessing; God can 
deliver me from this extremity. If not," he added, 
'^ we shall meet above." " Remember how St. Paul 
was let down a wall," said Andreo, " suffer the 
same to be done for you." " I yield, then," said 
Teodoro, " but first let us commend ourselves to 
Ood." 

When Teodoro's chains were entirely removed 
he looked sadly at his excoriated limbs, and said, 
^^ I fear your love and assiduity are in vain. I think 
I shall sleep before another sunset. Where shall I 
see Augichee ?" The answer was, near the furnace. 
" The furnace," he mused, " aye, that is the place. 
I pray God to have you in his keeping wlien I am 
gone." 

Andreo and the sentry having removed part of 
the roof, conveyed him to the palisades, there they 



120 CHROiTICLES OF FLORIDA. 

let liim down by means of a rope and blanket, 
safely into the arms of Taco-taka, at the base of the 
western side near the precipice. Andreo next de- 
scended followed by the sentry. Teodoro was sup- 
ported in the arms of the two friends, while Taco- 
taka, who silently and cautiously led the way, 
watched around and above lest they should be dis- 
covered. 

They had thus safely reached the main ridge, 
when Oliviera, going the rounds of duty by an 
odd chance, for this was usually entrusted to 
Lopez, saw the prison door ajar and without a 
sentry. He ran up the ladder and calling others 
to follow, discovered by the aid of flamebeaux that 
the prisoners had escaped. The alarm was in- 
stantly extended throughout all the fort and all 
were called to arms. The sentry over the gate, 
saw for the first time, though indistinctly, some 
moving objects in the dark going towards the fur- 
nice. Furious with excitement Oliviera sprung to 
his side, and cried out : '' Hang them ! turn the 
guQ towards them, and let them have it." Riquez 



CHEOi^ICLES OF FLOKIDA. ' 121 

liiinded up the match ; a loud report followed, the 
garrison stood in breathless suspense, when a 
cry of distress was heard in the distance. Oliviera 
exclaimed : '" They have got it !" He then ordered 
the few horses to be saddled and prepared to sally 
forth at the head of some choice men. But before 
this could be accomplished Don Pacheco, who had 
risen from his hammock, appeared, and though 
still feeble, resumed the command, Oliviera vowed 
vengeance for this second affront, but he checked 
his feeling when he saw Lopez and others follow 
the lately recognized leader of the expedition. 

The fugitives had scarcely reached the furnace 
when Teodoro was committed to the arms of Augi- 
chee and his wife, who gladly received him. The 
friends went. in search of poles to form a litter, 
while Taco-taka was sent a little way back to 
watch against pursuit. Teodoro sat on the trunk 
of a tree between the aged couple when a discharge 
of grape or slug shot bore all three to the ground. 
Chiusteh was killed on the spot. The other two 
w^ere mortally wounded. Pointing to Chiusteh^ 
6 



122 CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 

Teorodo said: "She is gone before us but not long." 
Then clasping the old chief in his arms, he uttered 
a brief prayer. The words soon became faint and 
ceased. When Tacotaka saw what had occurred he 
uttered a cry of woe. Andreo examined the dead 
calmly. No sign of grief escaped him, but on 
taking up the old chief, neither he nor the sentry, 
who stood near could refrain from tears, because 
the wound was fearful. Augichee then slowly 
said: "I have shed blood, it is just, my death 
should be bloody. Unaik never harmed any one. 
Great was the day that brought this man and you 
to Augichee. take Taco-taka with you. Take 
the only tie that binds Augichee to this world. Be 
a father to him." Having said this the chief 
fainted through loss of blood. The tramp of 
horses now drew nigh. Taco-taka would not leave 
the body of his father; but Andreo drew him away 
telling him it was useless to expose themselves 
since their friends were beyond human help. At 
some little distance they concealed themselves 
behind some kalmia bushes. Pacheco was the first 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 123 

to alight and examine the bodies. The old chief 
showed signs of life, which was ebbing fast away. 
He could speak again a few words. Pointing to 
Teodoro he said almost inaudibly: "His fault 
and mine was to know more than our people." 
Then Augichee's eyes shone with an effect to startle 
the Spaniards, and with the words, " my dream," 
his spirit passed away. Pacheco's indignation was 
aroused against Oliviera : " How dared you to im- 
prison those just men," he said, " and when they 
had escaped, preferring the wild woods and their 
tenants to your society, you basely murdered one of 
them thus. Behold your other victims, if the 
darkness of the night will allow you to see your 
dark deeds. This aged Indian was our best friend, 
when all his people were our foes. AVhoever will, 
let him stay in this region, dishonor and Pacheco 
cannot live together." Oliviera merely rejoined, 
^'take care, Pacheco, or you will try our patience too 
far." " But," interposed Kiquez, who had come 
up, " Teodoro and his friends were heretics." 
^' Heretics," said Pacheco, sneeringly, " heretics 
whom God will avenge." 



124 CHKOKICLES OF FLOEIDA. 

He had scarcely said this, when that sound which 
had often struck terror in the stoutest heart (the 
warwhoop) rose loud and sharp in the direction 
of the fort. In the panic of the moment, Oliviera 
threw his lantern an the ground, put spurs to his 
horse, and dashed for the fort to seek for shelter^ 

On the other hand, Don Pacheco, more calm, en- 
deavored to keep the men back. Seven alone re- 
mained, three of whom were mounted. Having 
seen their arms were in order, Pacheco thought it 
best to re-approach the fort cautiously, lest they 
might fall into an ambuscade. The two other 
fugitives came forward from their hiding places,, 
and reported to Don Pacheco, who was glad to 
meet them unhurt, and also to learn that no enemy 
was in the direction from whence they came. Taco- 
taka also joined them, and stated that he had an- 
ticipated an attack on the fort, but did not expect 
it so soon. A report was pretty current that the 
Spaniards had violated the truce. 

Andreo and Taco-taka were sent ahead as scouts, 
while the rest followed after, slowly leading the 



CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 125 

horses. They had not gone but a few steps when 
two riderless horses came galloping along and weve 
caught by those with Pacheco. Again the war- 
whoop and reports of firing redoubled ; the party 
stopped, warned that the Indians were between 
them and the fort. Presently a horse dashed by 
dragging something after him. The horse was pur- 
sued and caught by the bridle, the corpse of Olivi- 
era was found attached by the foot to the stirrup. 
Now a bright glare burst up from the fort ; it rose 
and fell for a moment, then towered on high with 
a crackling noise. Pacheco lost all hope, and ex- 
claimed in agony : " My father ! Oh, my father !'' 
Then came another tramp of horses at full speed, 
and the riders (when they saw persons in their path) 
manifested a disposition to turn away. One of the 
horses bore Lopez and the other Riquez and the 
drummer. As Lopez drew up he said : " Don 
Carlos was one of the first victims ! Let us es- 
cape with all speed !" 

The persons now on the brow of the river hill 
were fourteen in number, including Taco-taka, and 



126 CHROl^'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

had among them nine horses. They determined to 
take Taco-taka along as guide, and hurry on their 
flight, all being mounted by causing some to ride 
double. Chosing the most hidden routes they 
arrived in safety in the vicinity of Wahu, when a 
report of a terrific explosion reached their ears. 
The powder magazine had been blown up, destroy- 
ing numbers of the Indians, as was afterwards 
understood, and thus possibly interfering favorably 
for the flight of the whites who had so escaped. 
The sun was now risen. At Wahu, Taco-taka ob- 
tained leave to call at the lodge of the mother of 
Omuna, to whom he committed the burial of his 
parents and Teodoro, for which he received assur- 
ances that all should be done according to his 
desire. This detention was momentary, and then 
the fugitives rode on with all possible haste. As 
they approached Charna, a woman espied them and 
ran to alarm the village. Being in want of pro- 
visions, they saw on consultation no alternative 
but to make a dash into the place, which upon 
entrance was found entirely deserted by the 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 127 

women and other feeble inmates, its late sole oc- 
cupants. Having procured provisions enough for 
a couple of days, they quickly remounted and rode 
off in haste. When night overtook them a few 
leagues onwards, and as the horses were well nigh 
broke down, they diverged from the banks of the 
Hiawassee and made for the recesses of the moun- 
tains to obtain some rest. Then it was that Lopez 
began the doleful recital of the capture of the fort: 
The excitement consequent upon the escape of 
Teodoro and his friends, and the departure of 
Oliviera, had not subsided, a species of insubordi- 
nation reigned among those who remained behind, 
amounting to a little over forty souls, part of whom 
had not recovered from their recent wounds. The 
gate was open and curiosity led many to it and the 
battlements overlooking the river hill. The sen- 
tries had quit their posts ostensibly to aid the 
forward movement, w^here all interest centered. 
Such was the state of things, when a war whoop 
unexpectedly rung in the rear of the fort. The 
Indians had silentlv filled the moat with fascines 



128 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

and surmounted the ramparts, whilst at the same 
time masses of them had climbed the precipitous 
sides of the hill to the front of the entrance and 
forced their way to it. That point became the seat 
of the combat. There was no opportunity to close 
the gate. The attack was so close that fire arms 
could scarcely be employed. In the meanwhile the 
Indians having piled an immense mass of combus- 
tibles in the rear, rising against the palisade, set it 
on fire — beyond the hope of extinction. Just now, 
some of the Spaniards had succeeded in making a 
proper use of fire arms, but the swivel having been 
discharged could not conveniently be reloaded, and 
was thus more than useless in the crisis, as it took 
the attention of some few who might have been 
better emploj^ed. But all resistance was vain. The 
flames increased — the fort was on fire. Indeed, the 
Indians and the fire had surmounted the battle- 
ments in the rear. War whoops and "Hilnota! 
Hilnota!" rung in their ears. Don Carlos came 
forward, his face was deadly pale. At this moment 
the Indians penetrated into the fort from the gate. 



CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 129 

Two Indians fonglit with Don Carlos, one of whom 
he killed npon the spot; the other, Santnoh, 
uttering a yell, cleaved him to the ground with a 
tomahawk. Thus fell Don Carlos. Unable to pro- 
tect Don Carlos, and as the place was lost, Lopez 
seized the only remaining horse, resolved to cut his 
way out. Finding the gate partially clear, he made 
a sudden dash towards it, upsetting the savages in 
the way, or cutting them down with his sabre till 
he had gotten past unhurt. On the way he saw 
the corpses of the Spaniards who were slaughtered 
on returning from the furnace. A horse lay dead 
beside them. Further on he met Padre Kiquez, 
and another on horseback. They rode together — 
not dreaming they should ever meet with any more 
of their comrades, and in utter despair of ever 
escaping from the savages. 

Riquez related that in approaching the fort 
he had been taken upon the horse of his com- 
panion, who finally reined in, saying : " After all, 
Don Pacheco may be right ?" Presently, blows and 
cries were heard ahead, and some horses — one 



130 , CHROi^'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

dragging a body — passed them. They then con- 
cluded to return towards the furnace. 

The next day the fugitives resumed their retreat. 
When they had crossed the Naucouchee mountains 
three of the horses were abandoned as unfit for use. 
In this emergency Andreo and Taco-taka resigned 
their horses to Kiquez, so they, Lopez and another 
individual, were reduced to travel afoot. As they 
came to the few villages on their route, the inhabi- 
tants fled away, thus giving them a chance to obtain 
provisions from time to time. In a few days there 
remained but one horse among them, and as their 
progress was necessarily slow and circuitous, they 
begin finally to suffer from want, and miglit have 
perished had it not been for the indefatigable 
labors of Taco-taka, Andreo and another, who 
procured for the party roots, and occasionally 

game and eggs, which enabled all to subsist, 
though somewhat scantily. For a day or two 

Andreo and his friend had to assist Padre Eiquez 
on the journey, often bearing him on their should- 
ers. Broken hearted, sick and weary, at last they 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 131 

reached the confines of the Creeks, a friendly peo- 
ple, who received them with unbounded hospitality. 
That night Andreo was called upon to offer up 
thanks for deliverance and prayers for their future 
welfare. But he said the place belonged of right 
to Padre Riquez, an ecclesiastic. '" Not so,'^ 
said the latter, '* I yield to you whose heart is 
pure, who has won your enemy by unheard of 
kindness. For me to learn of Andreo is now the 
desire of my heart." Here Andreo could not con- 
tain himself, but wept aloud, saying at the same 
time : " that my brother had lived to witness 
this I" '' Yes," said both Pacheco and Eiquez, 
*^ would that he now were alive !" " He was slain 
unrighteously," Pacheco continued, "the true gold 
was in him. We indeed sought ignorantly for that 
which has brought misery to us, when we might 
have been filled with eternal riches. Our minia- 
ture state, with all its elements of authority, like 
the kingdoms of the earth, has passed away. Be- 
hold its sad remnants. Give me your hand, An- 
dreo, I was reclaimed through you." "And I," 



132 CHROmCLES OF FLORIDA. 

said Lopez, " when I saw and heard a captive pray, 
he won my heart." " Last of all," added Eiquez, 
" put me down conquered by love. The voice of 
all concur that Andreo shall be our leader in name, 
as indeed he was and is, in fact." " Not I, not I,"" 
exclaimed Andreo, " who am the least among 
you. Teodoro was indeed an an omted minister, 
though banished and proscribed of men. I was 
but his servant ; after having been forced to serve 
in the Inquisition against my will, I found in 
Teodoro a brother." They then united in heart- 
felt devotion. 

I will now draw this narrative to a close. About 
eleven months after the expedition had started, 
fourteen men returned to Pensacola. Pacheco and 
another of the party, a good linguist and geome- 
trician, received employment as commissioner and 
secretary to locate and set the metes and bounds 
of the great Arredondo land grant, a task of no 
little difficulty. Eiquez was proscribed because 
of his changed sentiments. For a time he lived 
with Andreo, who embarked in the fishery, assisted 



CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 133 

by the lad who was the poet and drummer of the 
expedition, but whose father resided near Tomoko 
on the coast. Jealousy among the fishermen soon 
drove them from their labors, and so in company 
with Pacheco, forming a party of six (including 
Taco-taka, now called Juan) took their way back 
to the Santa Fe where they had friends. 




EDDK II, 



CHAPTER I. 

THE GOTERI^MEN'T UKDER D0:N" DIEGO (WHOSE 
FULL ]^AME IS KEVER GLYEN) CONCLUDED. 

^^FTER the unsuccessful attack by Colonel 
Palmer, on St. Augustine, which as we have 
seen, took place in 1725, the senor governor 
fell sick of a calenture, from which he recovered 
with difficulty, being left for a long time subject to 
an unhappy disorder of the nerves with some im- 
pairment of his mind, to such an extent, indeed, 
that he could not tolerate any sudden noise or 
emotion of any sort. Malicious persons had their sur- 
mises as to the cause, but as he was there under the 
tender care of the senora, we Avill not witlidraw 
the curtain of the sick room. 

In time however, through good nursing and 

care, Don Diego convalesced, and though the tone 

134 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. IS 5 

of his mind was not restored, once more the usual 
rounds of festivities resounded through the Gov- 
ernor's Palace. It was now for the first time, that 
he saw his duty to render the Koyal Government 
a relation of what had transpired in Florida. 
As the secretary of the governor was constantly 
now under the influence of wine to keep off the 
calenture, a young scribe was dictated to write in 
part, as follows : " The king requires of me won- 
ders — and wonders I have done. Consider what 
difficulties I have heroically surmounted. With a 
handful of men, not of tlie most courageous sort, 
and badly supplied with arms and ammunition, I 
was placed here to protect a vast country from the 
attack of the English and savages. Well, I have 
succeeded. This bulwark of the Spanish posses- 
sions is once more safe after a severe campaign 
against the English pirates and their Indian con- 
federates. The enemy in prodigious numbers was 
led by one Palmer. Our little force was about to 
succumb through a panic, when I hastened to their 
relief and bv a flank movement turned the scale 



136 CHRONICLES OP FLGKIDA. 

in our favor. The enemy finding his plan frustrat- 
ed retreated with precipitation. Our troopa then 
followed, afoot and in barges, till he was out of 
sight." For this service the governor received the 
cross of Saint lago. 

The 19 th day of September, 1726, is memor- 
able for the occurrence of a terrible storm. At 
noon of that day, the air appeared unusually clear 
and calm, not a cloud rested above the horizon. A 
little later the pelicans began to wing their lazy 
flight landward. Thin vapors then began to settle 
from above or move in from the sea. The tempera- 
ture, then rather high for the season, fell ; the mist 
thickened while the sun, now declining, shone 
shorn of his beams. Then came a puff of wind 
and ceased. Transparent, watery clouds heaved 
up in strange commotion and hung overhead as if 
an ocean flowed above. Then came a warning gust 
which shook all things as it passed. It ceased, but 
not long, for now the hurricane, gathering all its 
rage, rushed to the charge with the sound of a 
mighty torrent. Its terrific and appalling dirge 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 137 

was mingled with the crashing of the forest and 
buiklings, the lashing of the tempest-driven rain 
and the roarings of the sea, whose angry and foam- 
ing billows dash far beyond the shore line. Man, 
bewildered, knows not where to betake himself. 
The sea, the sea rises — it now flows over spots that 
for centuries had been without its reach. A night 
— starless — a night of substantial darkness, of 
horror and dismay, reigns over all. Who now can 
sooth the Avidow and the fatherless, the stranger 
and the helpless ? Thou, God, seest me ! 'Tis He 
alone who can bid the storm to cease, the sun to 
rise! 

Yet, hark! The last fitful howl is past and 
the storm has swept by. A'ain delusion. From 
landward it now returns, and with redoubled force 
descends to the work of destruction. Morning 
returns but the sun appears not. Watery clouds 
yet spread on high, over a waste of ruins on earth. 
Still the storm, though noAv abating, holds its 
sway. Horror holds every tongue mute. The sea 
has receded leaving its shores with the marks of it 



138 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

wrath. Ye storm-tossed sufferers in the wildest 
hour when despair was near, did ye not hear the 
Voice : " It is I ; be not afraid ! " 

I am almost ashamed to leave the solemn train 
of thought to dive into the ludicrous ; but it can- 
not be now avoided. Daring the storm where was 
our hero ? Pale, through fear, and trembling in 
every limb he sat muffled in a blanket in the 
kitchen corner. Was not the roaring of the storm 
enough ? Could it not silence the excessive wrang- 
ling and rattle of his wife, who, puffing in the 
excess of pinguescence, scolded and bandied him 
for his lack of manliness ? Where was his Oastilian 
pride, his noble demeanor ? Shall the very menials 
laugh at him ? 

This had been a gala day at the governor's 
house. Thither had congregated all the officers of 
the establishment, in honor of the senora's birth- 
day. The choicest venison and fish had graced the 
board, while wine and wit had flowed to excess. 
The chief servant, Jose, had witnessed his most 
trying time. A little before the storm, the gov- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 1 31> 

ernor, who sat at the head of the table, with a cup 
of wine in one hand and a cigar in the other, was 
engrossing the attention of the company as follows: 
" Yonr worships do not know, yon cannot realize- 
until deprived of this 7mdtuin in parvo — that is of 
■ me — what a blessing it is to have as a commander, a 
man who studies the interest of his post night and 
day. When the redoubtable Palmer came against 
you, what would have become of you had you had 
the misfortune to have been under the command 
of my predecessor ? Why you would have been killed 
by the English and scalped by the Indians. Noav you 
have seen what superior bravery and military strat- 
agems can do. I sent Sebastian Seco to pepper the 
enemy with all his might, even though they had 
buried their balls in the walls of the fort. I was 
the soul of this movement. Presently, as I stood 
on the plaza giving orders — 1 don't know how the 
enemy knew I was there, but so it was — down 
came a cannon ball and made a great hole in the 
ground. They wished to get rid of me and make 
an easy conquest. 'Forewarned is forearmed,'' 



140 CHROJs'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

thought I. A commander should not expose his 
person till the trying hour. So I hurried to a 
isecure position and kept couriers running to and 
fro. This black, Jose, did his part well. At 
length the enemy fell back, and I knew it was only 
Si feint to change position, I rushed to the scene 
•of action." 

Here he was interrupted by the storm. A dead 
palor seized him notwithstanding the potations, 
and he asked in a whisper : " Is that the English ? 
Yes, yes, I know the sound ; the English have 
taken the town ! Eush out, men, and do your 
best!" Now, when the wind shook the building 
to its very foundation, he ran seeking the senora. 
^' 0, Juanita," he cried, " why did we come here to 
be murdered by the .barbarous English?" The 
senora was too much accustomed of late, to 
the humors of her husband, to be easily 
carried away with them. So, in his alarm, he 
ran out and immediately saw his error. Jose 
was sent to call back the officers who were ordered 
to their posts and enjoined to use increased vigi- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 141 

lance — an order for which they had reason to curse 
the governor from the bottom of their hearts. But 
to Don Diego the sense of danger was as great from 
a hurricane as from the English, so he retired to 
the kitchen, as before stated, and spent the time 
more dead than alive. Scenes like the preceding 
had been so frequent during the summer, when the 
thunder squalls peculiar to this region occurred^ 
that they ceased to demand any serious notice. 

Some time after this, a sail was descried in the 
offing, beyond Anastasia Island, making for the 
bar. As the tide would not serve till midnight, 
the pilots were of opinion she would not venture to 
cross the bar — at best rather difficult — till noon of 
the next day. Don Diego, ever apprehensive, 
walked down the plaza to the water wall. He then 
spied the vessel for a long time, and occasionally 
cast a glance on the pilot boat on the way to reach 
her. He then turned to the lieutenant and re- 
marked there was cause to give rise to suspicion 
that the vessel was only in advance of a strong 
squadron, for though he could descry the ensign of 



142 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

Spain, other marks showed she was under false 
colors; in proof, her sails were too white, her hull 
too black for a Spaniard. '' Besides, the pilot, as 
he draws near, has evident fears of an enemy. See ! 
How he goes this way then that way instead of 
pursuing the direct course ! " 

The lieutenant who was a man of few words, a 
brave and obedient soldier, made no reply, but 
hastended at the command of the governor to put 
the guns in order. He was not a Spaniard, but 
as an artillerist he could not be superceded, and 
in truth. Palmer had been repelled by his brave 
defence. But such is fame, even his name had been 
metamorphosed by the Spaniards, for which he 
cared not a maravede. When Don Diego could see 
no objects in the offing, through the shades of the 
evening, he retired for the night to the fort as the 
safest asylum, leaving the senora to the care of 
Jose and the aged padre, a man of unquestioned 
worth. 

The night was dark and objects con Id not be dis- 
tinquished a few paces off. Lieutenant Seco had 



CHROI^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 143 

retired to rest, according to the routine of the gar- 
rison, and Diego was entertaining an ecclesiastic in 
front of the chapel with some of his wonderful ex- 
ploits, when the sentry near the tower reported 
that the sound of oars were heard in the harbor. 
Being in a place of comparative security surroun- 
ded by massive walls and bastions, knowing, too, 
that the porous lime-stone blocks with which !San 
Marco had been built could not be fractured by 
cannon balls, Don Diego was not at all daunted by 
the intelligence, but in the haughtiest tone of 
command, ordered the men to open the batteries 
upon the enemy and then hail them afterwards. 
" They will find we are not asleep, but prepared to 
meet them." Then a tremendous discharge 
ensued ; Don Diego lost all presence of mind and 
hurrying the padre along, sought the recesses of 
the chapel to hide himself, under the impression 
that a bomb of the enemy had exploded within the 
fort. 

The flash of the guns had revealed only a single 
boat or canoe a short distance from the shore, over 



144 CHROKICLES OF PLOKIDA. 

which the balls had luckily passed. When the 
roar had subsided, continued cries of "Amigo ! 
Amigo I" arose from the surface of the water. Seco, 
who had reached the parapet by this time, shouted 
out, ''Qui viva?" The answer then again was 
"Amigo !" After which a female voice screamed 
out : " It is no one but Franchita and her father !" 
Thus the battery of San Marco had been opened 
upon an old man and his daughter on their return 
in an open boat to town — fear having magnified 
this into a flotilla of the enemy. 

In reflecting upon the occurrences of life, we 
sometimes in our shortsightedness, are tempted to 
say, how much better if such and such a thing 
had happened, forgetting for the time that all 
things are under the direction of Infinite Wisdom, 
who alone can see the end clearly from the begin- 
ning. I was on the point of saying how many 
woes had been spared had Franchita died on this 
night — but I recall it as sinful. The vessel seen in 
the preceding day, arrived at noon and proved to 
be one Avith supplies from Havannah. 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 145 

Franchita liad been not long married to Fran- 
cisco Corello, a subaltern attached to the garrison. 
Under a gay exterior she carried a deeply tender 
heart from Avhich welled up the purest emotions. 
Corello was about 35 years of age, of strong, 
athletic build, with features rather stern, enclosed 
by very black whiskers, in disposition somewhat 
taciturn, but in great esteem with his comrades on 
w^hom he had spent his wages in treating them to 
aquadiente. Four or five months of married life 
had indeed curtailed this liberality, but his friends 
were always ready to help him with purse and ser- 
vice so much had he won upon the esteem of his 
associates. I must now relate the tragical affair in 
which he was the victim. 

Having obtained permission to go on a hunt 
within a couple of miles of the town, where deer 
abounded, he proceeded to the gate early in the 
morning, accompanied by his wife to that point. 
There a sad presentiment seized her and she could 
scarcely be prevailed upon to part from him. He, 
however, managed to slip through the gate and had 
7 



146 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

it closed against her. Taking the Camina del Eej 
he then turned into the forest and palmetto 
jungles. He had not gone far when he was en- 
countered by two Indians, one of whom, whether 
in earnest or not, levelled a gun at him. With 
intrepidity, the Spaniard cocked his gun, and the 
next moment the Indian fell dead. The other 
Indian on seeing this fled with all speed. 

All thoughts of game for the present were out of 
the question, so Corello returned in haste to the 
gate. Franchita had not retired far, but sat on a 
stone, weeping. Taking her by the hand he led 
her homewards and as they walked he whispered : 
" I wish I had stayed with you, Franchita, for I 
have shed the blood of an Indian in my defence,'* 
He there related to her the circumstance. She 
hurried him on, saying : " Let us go at once to the 
senora ; she is kind to me and will listen to the 
truth as you have spoken it." Senora Juanita was 
in the reception room when Franchita entered, 
and, without preface, related what had befallen her 
husband. The senora replied : " The Indians are 



CHRON"ICLES OF FLORIDA. 147' 

revengeful and may involve iis in war ; but it 
would be better thus, than to truckle to them espe- 
cially in a case where your husband was so clearly 
in the right." When Don Diego was called in and 
the matter reported, turning round, he looked up 
at Corello. " So, caraJto, you have transcended your 
duties! You have murdered an Indian I Fine 
hunter, indeed, to shoot a man instead of a deer. 
Do you intend to bring the Indians upon us ? Ten 
chances to one you will not shoot them as truly as 
you did the one this morning. If the worse comes 
I will hang you in chains." "Alas !" said the se- 
nora, "forthe sangre azul j alas! for the descen- 
dant of the Compeador." 

Early in the evening the governor retired, or 
rather was borne to bed in profound intoxication. 
The night was dark and about the hour of ten a 
drizzly rain began to fall. The town was well 
defended on the land side by a deep moat and re- 
doubts, which extended from Fort San Marco on 
the east to Saint Sebastian, a creek on the Avest, and 
was entered only by a single gate. From the fort 



148 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

and "vvall extended three parallel streets, one along 
tlie water wall, another from the gate passing by 
the palace, and the third lying between them. 
Fronting the palace is the plaza which interrupts 
those three streets for an interval. 

In consequence of the rain, the sentinels posted 
near the gate took shelter within the boxes. 
Awhile after, certain strange, grating sounds and 
blows were heard against the gate from the out- 
side. Greatly alarmed, intelligence was at once 
sent to the governor, who when aroused, ordered 
the general alarm to be beaten which called the 
whole soldiery and volunteers to be put under arms 
to meet danger. Seco then Availed on the governor 
and stated that while there were no real causes for 
apprehension, yet as the populace were so alarmed 
it was necessary that his excellency should show 
himself in order to keep them from committing 
some act of folly in the panic in which they were. 

His excellency then said : " Lieutenant, you are 
very unfortunate — you cannot see danger till it is 
too late. You know one of our men murdered an 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 149 

Indian; is it nofc plain they have now come to 
avenge his death ? I can indeed fight with civilized 
people, bnt don't like the murderous assaults of 
these scalping cannibals. I will, however, go tO' 
the place, speak to the people and send them all 
with whatever weapons they can find to defend the 
gate and the wall." 

He then ordered the war horse, Boracho, to be 
brought out by Jose. This horse had been chosen 
for no other quality than his size and the gentle- 
ness brought about by age and hard usage, and 
perhaps, because small men are apt to choose large 
women and large horses — for what cause if not by 
contrast ? Together, with the horse, came the 
music band, the standard bearer and the body 
guard, with torches. The unmilitary portion of 
the citizens, a motly crowd, were ready to show 
their zeal and to follow the governor. At last the 
senor appeared, supported by the lieutenant, when 
the band played the tune of " Catalina de Liana." 
Taking off his hat he ordered most of his escorts- 
to pass on ahead. Seated on Boracho, by the aid. 



150 ClTROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 

of Seco, to the joy of his rider the ill-natured 
beast would at first scarcely move. At length he 
^whispered : " Lieutenant, I wish you would act in 
my stead, for I really feel very ill from my frolic. 
Do let me take the repose I need." The only 
answer given was to prick Boracho slyly with a 
dagger, when the beast started off in a heavy 
gallop, to the great dismay of his rider. In this 
mood he labored up the narrow street regardless of 
the crowd. Confusion reigned in his path ; the 
torches were scattered in various directions and the 
musicians silenced. "Stop! Stop him ! " cried the 
governor, noAV encircling the horse's neck with all 
his strength. But an attempt to stop Boracho 
only made matters worse, by reminding him of a 
dagger's point. As he drew towards the gate, the 
terrors of the governor, and the consternation of 
the soldiers there, knew no bounds. A brief delay 
might have given the entire custody of the gate to 
Don Diego and Boracho, for the soldiers were 
:averse to attacks in front and rear at the same 
moment. However, when Boracho saw the way 



CHRON^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 151 

•closed ahead — having gone as far as he coukl — he 
suddenly stopped and began leisnrely to crop the 
weeds that grew on the side of the street. When 
the troops gathered around, full of curiosity to 
learn the cause of so hasty a visit, the governor 
could only ask : " Have you seen the enemy ?" in 
tones of alarm. On being told that they con- 
tinued to hear strange noises at intervals, he mut- 
tered : " That fellow, Oorella, will be the death of 
us all yet." He had dismounted to readjust the 
saddle when Seco and the escort arrived. The 
former congratulated and praised him for the 
.alacrity displayed in reaching the point of danger. 
^' Danger ?" groaned his excellency, " do you really 
— do you really think there is danger now?" 
While asking this the gate shook slightly, with a 
grating sound that startled the soldiery. This 
was enough for our hero. Remounting Boracho 
with such aid as he had, he ordered all to mount 
guard till morning. As he put spurs to his horse 
he exclaimed : " Let us see if the enemy will now 
dare show his face." He then wished in vain that 



152 CHRON"ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

he might go down the street as fast as he had come 
lip. 

On reaching his wife, he exclaimed : " 0, 
Juanita ! The Indians are at the gate ; let ns hide- 
onrselves." Tradition holds that Don Diego and 
his wife (for the first time mislead by him) hid 
themselves on this memorable night among some- 
tall plants in the garden ; that twice they quar- 
elled because they had drawn too near to each 
other; that once Don Diego mistook her for an 
Indian ; that finally both of them, terror stricken 
at the entrance of Jose into the garden, had ac- 
tnally jumped over the wall into the adjoining 
marsh where they remained in miserable plight 
among a species of small crabs till morning. Some 
may think these relations are exaggerated. Let 
them think so if they will, yet these were the reve- 
lations of personal witnesses. 

At early dawn a sentinel on tlie battlements- 
of San Marco espied the cause of the night's 
alarm. Close to the gate lay three or four 
cows that had been shut out in the evening ; 



CHKOKICLES OF FLOEIDA. 153 

their attempting to gain admittance to their 
calves, was the cause of the panic now re- 
vealed. The soldiers at the gate dared not look 
over the wall during the night, so great was their 
fear of Indian stratagems. The lieutenant had, 
however, investigated enough of the matter to ex- 
press himself without any apprehension of the least 
danger ; this not satisfying the senor, Seco 
thought the whole too good a joke to be suddenly 
interrupted ; and in this he was encouraged by a 
lady whom he had met on. the way to the palace. 

The governor returned in a pitiable plight, 
covered with mud, and on finding the true nature 
of the nocturnal noises, resorted to a happy inven- 
tion ; he declared that yielding to a strong desire 
to make a personal investigation he had passed 
over the wall into the marsh, determined to out- 
flank the works of defence. His wife, of her own 
accord had followed him saying that he should 
not perish alone in the public service. The tides 
having recently been so high, they made but a 
slow progress, sinking in the soft mud and quick- 



154 CHKOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 

sand at every step, till the approach of day induced 
them to return. Under ordinary circumstances 
this would have been history. 

A month precisely from this day, a vast number 
of Indians made their appearance in the vicinity 
of Saint Augustine. The warriors were tall, 
athletic, well proportioned and went almost nude, 
but with Avarlike decorations of repulsive charac- 
ters. At this time of which I am treating, their 
good will was bought by the Spanish authorities 
with supplies of goods at stated periods. This 
proved to be a bad policy and had the effect to 
place the sovereignty of the colony in abeyance, 
and to subject the government to pay tribute at 
the dictation of a people known to be treacherous, 
and never long satisfied. 

Almost with the news of their arrival, the chief, 
with a numerous retinue, came to the gate, without 
fear, and demanded satisfaction for what he termed 
the murder of one of his men. To the lieutenant, 
who went out to meet him, he said in plain terms 
that he " wanted blood for blood." Seco remon- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 155 

strated that it was now utterly impossible to iden- 
tify the person who had done the deed; that it might 
have been done in self defence, and in either case 
he offered valuable presents to satisfy the friends 
of the deceased. To this the chief gave no heed 
but averred that he could and would identify the 
murderer (if allowed to enter the place) who must 
be delivered and devoted to death, else the tribe 
would seek ample and multiplied vengeance. In- 
dignant at the stern attitude of the chief, the lieu- 
tenant was about to deliver an appropriate answer, 
when the reflection came, that in strict military 
subordination, it was proper for the governor to 
assume the responsibility of what might ensue from 
the conference. 

Word was then sent to the colonial head that 
the Indian deputation awaited his presence at the 
gate. In that moment Don Diego would have 
feigned sickness, but for the sneers of the senora 
and the opinion she expressed that a bold demeanor 
was sure to prevail with the savages, who of all 
things admired a fearless temper. This, and a 



156 CHROiq'ICLES OF FLOKIDA. 

consideration of his various mishaps of late, came 
to the aid of a desperate resolve, and turned the 
scale of his deliberation ; in an evil lionr he decided 
:to meet the chiefs. Previous to this time, Don 
Diego had always so contrived matters as to avoid 
'being present at the numerous conferences held 
ivith the Indians during the past years of his gov- 
■ernment, but had always confided the task to Seco, 
or some other officer, and as the Indians liad never 
been permitted to enter the town he had only had 
glimpses of them at a distance. In fact, he esteemed 
them only as ferocious wild beasts.. 

Boracho was brought out fully caparisoned for 
the occasion, and Don Diego at length approached, 
fantastically dressed and armed to the teeth. Now, 
when assisted to the saddle, his attitude was in- 
effably droll and grotesque. The decorations and 
accoutrements on a person of his dimension and 
symmetry (the more so when seated on so large an 
animal) gave him the air of a very buffoon. Now, 
placing his body in a half bent posture, and clasp- 
ing the bridle and mane, he ordered Jose to lead 



•CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 157 

TBoracho, and moved off attended by a strong armed 
•escort under lieutenant Seco. In the pride of his 
martial attitude and surrounding, his excellency 
^dilated his chest, and said with exultation, " Ah ! 
the savages will find they have no child to deal 
with." In the next moment, he added : " I wish 
they were a thousand leagues off." Then he whis- 
pered to Seco : " Suppose they should take it into 
their unreasonable heads that I am the murderer ?" 
He seemed pacified when told there was no fear of 
such a silly mistake. 

Arrived at the gate, his resolution gave way ; on 
•one pretense or another he would have turned back. 
At one time he had forgotten a present for the 
•chief, then again he had not bid adieu to the se- 
'nora, and to sum up all, in truth, in very truth, 
because he " felt indisposed." Seco gave him some 
■drink and prevailed upon him to proceed. Seeing 
110 Indian when the gate was opened, he plucked 
up courage and rode out, not forgetting to give di- 
rections, should he ride back in haste, that the 
;gate should be immediately thrown open for his 
entrance. 



158 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

On reaching the camina real, he saw the chiefs 
at a short distance off. The nudity and determina- 
ed air of these grim savages alarmed him much 
and he exclaimed : " They are dangerous wild 
beasts, cannibals ; nay, very devils. 0, my fate ! 
Why should I be brought here to be scalped and 
devoured ?" He then struck spurs to his horse and 
would have lumbered back to the gate had not 
Jose and Seco interposed. " Get away," he cried to 
Jose, "are you also against me ?" Just now three 
of the chiefs, who had separated from the others, 
came down fearlessly into the midst of the Span- 
iards. Wlien Don Diego saw them he was nearly 
paralyzed by fear and gave up all attempts to 
escape as entirely useless. One of the chiefs asked 
of the interpreter to point out the great white 
chief and when this was done the chiefs clapped 
their hands, exclaiming: "Sticky! Sticky!" and 
rushed to the place where he still sat on horseback. 
The old chief caught him by the hand, in courtesy^ 
when Don Diego, aroused to desperation, endeavor- 
ed to escape and called upon the men not to desert 



CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 159 

him. Seco hailed him to take care how he offended 
the Indians, who were there too few to be danger- 
ous with impunity, and the governor reluctantly 
yielded and returned the salutations. The old 
chief then turned round to the interpreter and 
observed : " If your great chief is no bigger in 
soul than in body he is little indeed." I would not 
have dwelt so long on the tiresome narrative of 
such a scene but that a faithful record demands 
occasional pictures of the officials sent out into the 
colonies — officials that were commissioned through 
bribery, not for merit. 

As an immediate sense of danger wore off, the 
arrogance and pomposity of Don Diego increased 
in proportion, till the chiefs reminded him of the" 
visit. " Give me," said the principal chief, ^^ give 
me the guilty man that I may slay him, and I will 
smoke the pipe of peace with the little great chief; 
deny this and the tomahawk is unburied." When 
his excellency saw the features of the chiefs lower- 
ing and knew their fixed determination, his fears 
once more returned and he answered : " Don't be 



160 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

angry, gentlemen, we are all friends ; I am your 
best friend. I say, with you, the guilty person 
ought to be punished, killed. What right had he 
to interrupt our friendship ? But you know I have 
a vast, a great number of warriors here — a great 
many great warriors — then, how can you find out 
the guilty person among so many ?" The chief 
replied : " If they were so numerous as the leaves 
of that tree," pointing to a pine, " he shall be 
found." " If that be the case you should not be so 
angry," said the governor, " I agree to deliver the 
man if he be detected." " Beware," interposed the 
lieutenant, " how you promise lest it be rashly 
done." " Do you wish these- savages to eat us up, 
lieutenant ?" " Better to die all, than give up one 
innocent person," replied Seco, with indignation. 
" You may say so," his excellency said, " but my 
decision is made up. At all events, the Indians 
cannot indicate the same person twice, I will 
manage to cheat them." The sincerity of the lieu- 
tenant gave grave offence to his superior, who soon 
eent him to the frontier to inspect the defences and 
report on his return. 



CHRON'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 161 

According to agreement made, an Indian accom- 
panied by three chiefs was introduced into the fort 
on the next day. The force of the garrison was 
paraded in lines in the open court. At a signal 
given the Indian ran along the lines twice and 
singled out Francisco Oorrella. This Indian 
proved to be the one who had run away after the 
death of his comrade. The governor then 
feigned that he was not satisfied, and that Fran- 
cisco could not have been the person who shot the 
Indian. The witness maintained his point with 
vehemence, in which he was also supported by the 
chiefs who charged the governor with want of 
good faith. ^' Well, come again to morrow, and if 
you point out the same person I will believe you." 

The next morning Francisco being thoroughly 
disguised and placed in quite another position, 
awaited his singular trial. The Indian this time 
ran along the ranks but once, and again pointed 
out Francisco. The governor thought he could 
not refuse the chiefs the retaliation they demanded. 
So with no just regard for the lives of those en- 



162 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

trusted to his care and with the worst policy in 
the workl, he ordered Francisco to prepare for 
death. A few minutes only were allowed him to 
confer with the priest. He was then lead to the 
ramparts where the Indians stood with loaded 
muskets awaiting his coming. He then spoke to 
the priest : " Franchita knows I am innocent. Tell 
her my last regret is to die without having seen 
her. Yet it is perhaps best she is spared this 
sight. Adios comarados ! He knelt, a command, 
a few reports of musketry followed, and Francisco 
was no more. 

As he fell the Indians rushed forward to scalp 
him. Then, and not till then, the superstition of 
the governor stronger then his fear, impelled him 
to interpose between the lifeless corpse and the vin- 
dictive malice of the savages. " Hold ! hold !" he 
exclaimed, " yow have taken his life ; I claim his 
body. He must receive a Christian burial !" The 
Indians received presents and returned homewards 
praising the justice of the little great chief, only 
regetting that they bore no bloody trophy of their 
revensre. 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 163 

Were I writing a romance I might here depict 
the grief of Franchitii, but think it is best to leave 
it to the imagination, with the brief remark that 
she survived not the spring flowers — indeed a 
withered flower, and its accompanying bud were 
liarshly cropped by death. 



CHAPTER II. 

|HE next winter was perhaps the severest ever 
witnessed at this 23lace ; it commenced on the' 
night of the 23rd of December, with so very 
sndden a fall of temperature as took the people 
by surprise and totally unprepared for the intense; 
cold. Up to that night the weather had continued 
pleasant and rather Vv^arm, indeed almost like sum- 
mer, so much so that the fair sex went about of 
evenings in light clothing, with bare necks, but 
still adorned with flowers and fire bugs (cuchillos)^ 
But about midnight the northwest wind blew in 
force and before morn water was frozen to the 
thickness of a dollar (pesos). Tlie suffering of the 
people became great for want of fuel and clothing ; 
moreover unaccustomed to stand a low degree of 
temperature, and the piercing wind which accom- 
panied it, they were forced to abandon the fisheries 

164 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 165 

and indeed all work in the open air, and kept close 
at home in a sort of a stnpor, mnffled np to the 
l3est of their ability to screen their persons. In 
this emergency the venerable priest with a conple 
of other ecclesiastics, the physicians of the post, 
and other charitable persons, came to the front as 
Christians always do in the distress of a commn- 
iiity, nor did they avoid yielding all assistance in 
their power. 

Since the terror, for it was no less, caused by 
the Indians had ceased, Don Diego only experienced 
that another and still worse had sprnng np in its 
place with redoubled force, for it was ever present 
within and around him. True the Indians had 
departed in peace, and well pleased, but now the 
fears of a supernatural Avorld, that slackened not 
a moment overwhelmed him. Day or night, awake 
or asleep, the name of Erancisco sonnded in his 
ears. No greater injury could be inflicted upon 
him than to pronounce that inauspicious name, 
even when calling an individual to whom it rightly 
belonged. Added to this, the padre, like another 



166 chroinTicles of Florida. 

Nathan, had, after some deliberation and hesita- 
tion, privately upraided him for the heinous deed» 
He wonld have shunned the presence of the lieu^ 
tenant, who evidently abhored the late tragedy^. 
had not his own mental inability rendered it neces- 
sary when that officer had returned, to surrender to- 
him much of the business of the government. At 
home as well as abroad, his excellency found no- 
rest. The senora, however vain glorious she had 
been of i^ower, conkl not but express her horror 
and deep detestation of the act; nor did she rest 
even there, but taxing her memory, she unburied 
the hidden things of the past, his various derilic- 
tions of duty, his meanness of soul and cowardice.. 
Shut out, then, from what might have proven his 
chief source of solace — the bosom of his Avife — the- 
world was a barren waste before him ; no flowers of 
hope grew there, the future loomed instead and in 
view, dark, boding and fearful. He only looked 
for the lightning gleam of approaching wrath. 
Was there no one who might sooth his feverish 
agony ? 0, for a Lazarus to give him a drop of 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 167 

cold water! During the crisis, Jose, yes, the 
faithful Jose, alone in all the Avorld stood by his 
side. He had shared the prosperity of his master, 
and now, in the days of his affliction, stood closer 
than a brother. 

For several months the relations of the colony 
remained peaceful. A severe though not fatal epi- 
demic prevailed in the place ; it began with the 
sudden seizure of pain in some joint and after a 
few days of racking fever, left the persons attacked 
unhurt. During the summer, fearful thunder 
storms occurred. Scarcely three days passed away 
without noises like close cannonading followed by 
the rattling of unnumbered chariots overhead. 
During the summer a fev/ deaths took place by 
lightning, but the trees in the vicinity were struck 
in innumerable instances. 

On All Souls Day, the tolling of the church 
bell had commenced, and many who had lost 
friends during the year, as they passed through the 
Yestibule, seized the bell-rope, each in turn, and 
tolled according to the number of the departed 



168 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

whom tliey wished to commemorate. It was on 
this occasion the crowd at the door gave away as 
Don Diego, pale, emaciated and dressed in sombre 
habiliment, entered. He would have tolled the 
bell, when a rough voice startled him, saying: 
•^^ Away with your sacriligious hands." Then an 
individual stepped up, seized the rope, and tolled 
the bell, solemnly emphasizing the words ; " Eest 
to the soul Corella! Rest to the soul of Franchita!" 
Don Diego recognized the father of Franchita ; he 
swooned away and was carried out of the church. 

AYhen the governor had recovered from the 
shock, he resolved, against the strong interces- 
sion of Jose, to issue a process against the old man. 
The latter had just reached home when a file of 
soldiers arrested him. He was brought to an au- 
dience. " You stand accused of an assault on his 
excellency, this morning," said the secretary, 
^' what have you to answer against so grave a 
charge ?" The prisoner, fixing his eyes on the gov- 
ernor, replied : " I am a man, your excellency, and 
the feelings of a man and father urged me to what 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 169 

I did. In the heat of the moment I thought that 
the slayer of my children meant to toll their knell, 
and I could not brook the action." " How dare 
you," interposed the governor, " how dare you term 
the commander-in-chief the slayer of your chil- 
dren ?" The prisoner paused awhile as if to collect 
his thoughts, then said : " There was a man, senor, 
under your authority; one of undoubted bravery, 
who would have sacrificed his life in your defence ; 
one, though poor, of undoubted honor and integrity 
whose word was never called into question — one, in 
whose veins coursed the royal blood of Cordova." 
Here the old man hesitated, and Don Diego, with 
impatience cried, " go on ! go on ! " " Such a one 
then, your excellency, was shamefully delivered 
up to be murdered by the Indians, to the eternal 
infamy of the Spanish name. And why ? Because 
the Indians, jealous of the lives of their people, 
demanded it and because the flag floated over 
cowards, who were not actuated by a simular regard 
for the lives of those they should protect." Don 
Diego taken by suprise, and the force of words 
8 



170 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

spoken from the heart, hung down his head, while 
the prisoner proceeded : " His death brought on 
that of my daughter. Let mine follow, too, how 
soon I care not. For what can now bind a friend- 
less old man, an outcast in a foreign land, to a life 
of sorrow ? Finish now the work, I have said." 
" Enough ! enough !" shouted the governor, " away 
with him to dungeon !" As they led the prisoner 
out, he drew back and said : " The day of retribu- 
tion will come on you, on Spain, not at once — yours 
first. Then another flag shall wave on poor Fran- 
cisco's grave." '* Francisco, always Francisco," 
muttered the governor ; how his eyes glared ! 

Then the prisoner was delivered to Seco, with 
the order for his close confinement within the dun- 
geon, on the charge of being dangerous to the 
governor. The dungeon lay beneath the north- 
eastern bastion of the fort, was filled with damp 
exhalations and infested with filth and vermin. 
Whoever was there detained for a length of time 
was sure to loose health, if not life. As Seco led 
in the old man, he whispered : " Courage ; I will 



CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 171 

work for your speedy deliverance from any other 
fare than mine. In the meantime one night must 
be spent within the dungeon, lest I incur the dis- 
pleasure of the governor ; to-morrow, simply give 
me your promise not to attempt an escape. Corella 
was my friend." The prisoner was then led into 
this tomb of the living, and when the massive 
doors were closed he was involved in impenetrable 
darkness and unwholesome stench. Is it thus that 
man treats his brother — the image of his Clod ? 
The lieutenant kept his word the next morning, 
but though the prisoner was allotted a good private 
room, he had contracted a fever from which he re- 
covered with difficulty. 

Let us now return to other events. Two ship- 
wrecked voyagers had arrived at Saint Augustine 
about this time, of whom I must write. 

Juan de Alvarado, of a noble ftimily of nuevos 
Ckristianos, having received a commission from the 
Captain-General to repair forthwith to Florida, on 
important business, the purport of which Avas not 
even known to those in the confidence of that 



172 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

officer, embarked on one of tliose small vessels 
called guar da cost as, as the only cliance imme- 
diately at hand. His effects and servants were to 
follow in December, when the nsual supplies for 
the military station of Saint Angustine were to be 
forwarded. The Pintado, guarcla costas, mounted 
a small gun at her bows and had a compliment of 
eleven men, besides three passengers Alvarado, his 
servant, and an ecclesiastic, the Padre Trello. 

Twelve hours after leaving the Moro Castle, head 
wind begau to impede her progress, though now she 
had entered the powerful current of the gulf. 
Early on the next morning a vessel, ajDparently of 
the same class, was spied in the distance, bearing 
directly down on their course, with the wind in 
her favor. The stranger bore the Spanish ensign 
and as no suspicion was at first entertained regard- 
ing her character the Pintado kept on her way. 
But not long afterwards the captain, going aloft, 
annouced fears that the stranger was a well armed 
pirate and immediately gave orders to 'bout ship 
and run back under a full press of canvass for the 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 173 

Hayannali. The pirate, for so she proved, saw the 
moyement and also increased her sail and speed, 
the latter being far superior to that of the Pintado* 
In a few minntes the pirate ran np the black flag 
and began to discharge her guns with fearful pre- 
cision. All chance of escape being out of ques- 
tion, the Pintado hove to for action with the re- 
doubtable piratical cruiser, the Bloodsucker, com- 
manded by a desperado nicknamed "The Sea 
Tiger " ( Tigre de la Mar). The crew and passen- 
gers of the Pintado fought well, as men deter- 
mined to sell their lives at the highest price, but 
she was soon boarded and carried by the pirates. 
iVlverado and his servant were both wounded, 
though not seriously, and they and a few other 
survivors, including the padre, were put under 
guard while the vessel was being pillaged. The 
Sea Tiger had lost several of his boldest men in 
the combat, and according to his custom, made 
proclamation of favor to all prisoners who would 
willingly join his crew. Alvarado, who stood near 
his servant, advised him, in a language not under- 



174 CHRON"ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

stood by the pirates to accept the terms. "For," 
added he, " we may have a chance to escape, or 
after all, we can but die — by blowing up the whole 
concern." So these two consented and were forth- 
with sent off to the Bloodsucker, leaving behind 
five of their comrades who had survived. The Sea 
Tiger was heard to say to them, with the most sin- 
ister and malicious expression, with the ferocious 
voice of the devil within his breast : " You hesi- 
tate; you deliberate — it is is too late — the manes 
of my brave comrades cry against you!" I will 
not polute my page with the relations of the cruel 
inventions of the pirates, to increase and intensify 
the sufferings of their victims. The padre seemed 
by account to have risen to the dignity of a prophet 
before his death. "Incarnate demons," said he, 
"look not for your punishment from man. Such 
atrocious monsters will not be permitted to live 
much longer to jDollute the face of nature. Your 
punishment will be sudden — yet with my latest 
breath I call upon you to repent. Eepent ! " After 
the work of butchery and pillage was done, the 
Pintado was scuttled and left to her fate. 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 175 

The wind having shifted in the meantime, the 
Bloodsucker reversed her course for the northward, 
on the lookout for an expected prize. But the next 
day a dead calm ensued off the banks of the Bahamas 
and the ^ils hung loosely on the masts. Alvr.- 
rado, feigning that his wound was more serious 
than the reality would justify, sat leaning on the 
taffrail. He could see the bottom of that clear and 
transparent sea and fishes that gambolled below the 
vessel. Neither the dolphins, the pilot fish, nor 
the shark, nor yet the flying fish that took to the 
air could divert his mind from the awfulness of 
his present situation. He had heard relations of 
cruelty that almost curdled his blood, and at any 
moment he might be called upon to be initiated in 
barbarity. He wished to have access to the maga- 
zine — he longed for it. 

In the afternoon a terrible storm came up from 
the northeast, attended with terrific lightning and 
thunder ; all sails were reefed and the helm was 
lashed. The storm howled above, the waters roared 
around. Now, in the midst of rolling billows toss- 



176 CHRON'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

ing on high with froth and spray, all seamanship 
was lost. The vessel yawned in every seam ; the 
water rushed into her hold. The cry was raised 
that she had sprung a leak; next, that she was 
sinking. The crew, composed of such inferior 
men, became frantic through despair and the free 
use of ardent spirits ; all subordination had ceased, 
all thoughts of a hereafter was merged in the 
present, the animal alone then survived the spiritual. 
The Sea Tiger then brawled out hoarsely in the 
endeavor to restore order, but how vain. Some 
got the long boat ready to be launched, and in such 
a sea; others heaved goods overboard to lighten 
the ship ; but none could be got at the pump. The 
vessel broached to; the sea broke over the 
deck and swept several men into a watery grave ; 
utter helplessness now seized upon the Sea Tiger 
himself, he quivered in every muscle as he saw the 
men about to quit the vessel, impelled thereto by 
madness and drink. Alvarado had never seen a 
countenance like his, bad as it was before, in a mo- 
ment he was transformed into an image of the 



CHEOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 177 

damned. With a supreme effort he said : " Go who 
will, the Sea Tiger and Bloodsucker will go down 
to the bottom of the sea together." Mistaken man, 
another fate was reserved for thee. The boat was 
lowered on the lea side and the greater part of the 
crew jumped into her, to be engulfed immediately. 
As the cry again rose up, that she was sinking, the 
restTollowed with precipitation, without thought or 
motive, and threw themselve into the sea with such 
articles as were calculated to buoy them up, but in 
vain. While his comrades were being drowned 
around him the Sea Tiger tied himself to the 
mast. 

The only other persons now remaining on board 
were Alvarado and his servant, who had armed 
themselves and stayed in the cabin during the con- 
fusion, being pursuaded that the great danger was 
not from the leak, which though alarming enough 
might have been delayed by the use of the pump, 
but through the panic which had seized the crew. 
When the vessel was deserted Alvarado ascended to 
the companion way while the storm was still 



178 CHEONICLES OF FLOKIDA. 

howling and the thunders pealing with little inter- 
mission. Amid these, however, he thought he- 
could distinguish by the roar and dash of infuriated 
breakers, they were possibly near a lea shore. By 
a flash of lightning (for it was night) the position 
of the Sea Tiger was revealed to Alvarado, who 
said : " Wretch, either from the elements or from 
me thou shalt receive thy doom." " Spare me ! 
spare me !" shrieked the pirate. That moment the 
vessel struck the outer reef and came near broach- 
ing to, but the next surge bore her off and she 
settled upon the beach with a fearful convulsion. 
A vivid flash of lightning, an overpowering shock 
succeeded, the mast was shivered and the Sea Tiger 
gone to his account. Fractured in every seam, the 
vessel would soon have been swept to pieces had 
not the winds and the waves abated with a veering 
of the former for the land. The two remaining 
survivors from the vessel then escaped to the shore. 
On the next day, having buried a large amount of 
money and valuables, which they had found on 
board, taking some provisions with them they 



CHRONICLES OP FLORIDA. 179 

started for the northward. The body of the Sea 
Tiger was left still tied to the shivered mast, the 
prey of carrion birds. 

Our travellers were now on a long sand bank, 
varying from half a league to a league in breadth, 
which separated the sea on the east from a lagoon 
interspersed with low mangrove islands on the 
wesi;. Abut three or four leagues on their journey 
they found a canoe which had drifted to the shore 
of the lagoon. Gladly they set about getting ma- 
terials to caulk her that they might cross to the 
opposite shore in search of water. When they 
had gone over they found there a long island which 
still intervened before the main land could be 
reached. There search for fresh water proved fruit- 
less. Ee-entering the canoe, with excessive thirst 
and fatigue, they still paddled on into an inextri- 
cable maze of mangrove islands, or rather (as 
called) keys, in whose confasion the course was lost 
and the travellers were compelled again to seek the 
sea beach and abandon the canoe. AYeary and faint 
they dragged along with no prospect to allay their 



180 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

burning throats. A cape appeared ahead, Alvarado 
had just presence of mind left to notice that the 
bank widened considerable to the westward and 
was probably connected there to the main land. 
Without reflecting further he turned to the left, 
while the servant slowly followed. A short dis- 
tance revealed quite a large pond of fresh water 
into which the travelers rushed to slake their 
thirst. In consquense of this over indulgence, a 
sojourn in this place became imperative. After 
this, vv^hen the locality was reconnoitred, it soon ap- 
peared that the sand bank adjoining the ocean was 
indeed connected to the main land at tliis point by 
a very narrow neck which divides the lagoon on the 
south from another on the north. Alvarado 
resolved to travel along the main land, and after 
excessive privations met some fishermen who 
kindly relieved the necessities of the travelers and 
escorted them to the Tower ol" iJatanzas, near the 
Barra Ohica, The fishermen declared it was possi- 
ble to have obtained fresh water along the beach by 
scooping out the sands a couple of feet below the 
surface in certain spots. 



CHROmCLES OF FLORIDA. 181 

At Sainfc Augustine, Alvarado appeared simply 
in the character of a shipwrecked gentleman. He 
took care to write to the Captain General what had 
happened and request a renewal of his credentials 
which had been lost on board the Pintado. Mean- 
time he entered into all the gaieties of the place 
with an assumed levity of manners. ]N"ot a ball, 
not a party of pleasure, not a hunt occurred, but he 
was present as the leading spirit. He soon won 
the warm friendship of the lieutenant, whose own 
good nature and unsuspecting disposition led him 
to see in the fascinating stranger only an embodi- 
ment of refinement and high chivalric feelings. 

There lived in the business portion of the town, 
a Jew, named Manasseh, vv'hose business, in con- 
nection with a mercantile firm in Havannah, was 
to supply the station with stores and ammunition. 
He was of strict commercial integrity and business 
habits, in good repute with the Captain-General. 
Alvarado had very naturally called upon him at 
the first opportunity when a mutual understand- 
ing subsisted between them ; for besides financial 



182 CHEOKICLES OF FLOKIDA. 

affairs to be transacted, Alyarado had fully con- 
fided to his friend that he was of the stock of 
Israel and only a Christian outwardly, through pru- 
dential consideration. As he spent most of his 
leisure moments at the house of Manasseh, sur- 
mises began to be made, that he had fallen in love 
with the Jew's daughter, and rumor in this case 
was more than half right. 

Judith appeared to be about twenty-three or 
twenty-four years of age. Gifted with a high 
order of intellect, in thorough literary training 
and in strict subordination to refined moral feel- 
ings, she approached near to human perfection, 
Her features were in unison with her mind ; singly, 
none could be called beautiful, but their united 
expressions of intelligence, benevolence and purity, 
never failed to fascinate the beholder. Graceful in 
person and action, with a soft, musical voice, her 
vocation seemed like that of an angel of light on 
errands of mercy. 

Judith had no suspicion of the inclination or 
attitude of Alvarado till the day he formally offered 



CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 183 

her his heart and hand ; then she could have 
politely declined, but when, in the endeavor to 
please her, he avowed his religious faith, she could 
not hide her horror and detestation of such dissim- 
ulation. "You cannot think," said she, "that I 
descended from those who gave their lives to the 
flames for the sake of principles, that I should 
link my fate with one holding your sentiments ?" 
"Hear me, Judith," he said, "ere you condemn 
too harshly. Some generations gone, my ancestors 
underwent the most cruel persecutions. Some 
were put to death, others were coerced to abjure 
their faith. Their mouths pronounced the words 
but their hearts consented not. Eiches flowed upon 
them and they purchased power, though still in- 
curring the suspicion alike of Jew and Gentile. 
Some few rose high in the Spanish monarchy and 
were thus enabled to shield their people from per- 
secution. These advantages resulted from their 
conforming to a few external ceremonies, while in 
all else the will was unshackled. I now find my- 
self in this position — not from my own doings but 



184 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

from inheritance. Must I now abandon wealth, 
friends and titles to brave the flames ? Be it so, 
if Judith wills it and will share her lot with mine. 
Behold me, then, no longer the Spanish nobleman 
Juan de Alvarado, but Moses ben Jacob !" 

*^ Neither will this avail your purpose," she re- 
plied, "for I am a Christian, not by profession 
merely, but from the heart." 

Taken by sheer surprise, he knew not what to 
say for a while, at length he said : " Then Juan de 
Alvarado is also a Christian for your sake." 

"Unprincipled man," she interrupted him, "seek 
elsewhere for a fit mate, for Judith can never be 
your bride." 

His eyes flashed with anger as he said : " Know 
you whom you have rejected ? You know my 
name, now learn. I am governor of Florida. In 
a few days I shall be installed, when Judith shall 
find the result of her rashness. Till then beware 
you tell aught of what has here transpired." 

In the evening, Seco visited Juditli. A close in- 
timacy had subsisted between them for a consider- 



CHKO^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 185 

able period, but contrary to v/liat generally hap- 
pens, it had given no cause for gossipping, for the 
lieutenant was a general visitor among the ladies 
of the place — young or old, single or married — 
none could complain of neglect. He was con- 
sidered a military man who belonged to the 
whole sex — none in particular. Nevertheless, Seco 
and Judith loved each other with deep devotioue 
The open frankness of Seco, his moral rectitude, 
and a certain community of thoughts had won the 
heart of Judith. They now met, there was 
nothing secret between them. Judith told him of 
all that had transpired that day. In reply, the 
lieutenant told her that he now perceived the cause 
of many of Alvarado's inquiries concerning the 
government of Don Diego, adding that he was now 
put on the guard against the new governor and 
would be circumspect towards him. 



CHAPTER III, 

^iT#HE Santa Fe settlement, as its designation 
il ! imports, was composed of a number of small 
"^^ haciendas, in supporting vicinity. The peo- 
ple were generally quiet and orderly, and quite a 
number of them were French, who had remained 
under the Spanish flag since Florida had been 
ceded back. Because they had contrived to main- 
tain peace with the Indians in the neighborhood, 
and had themselves been orderly towards the 
authorities, they were treated rather with con- 
tumely than harshness. Still there remained with 
them a fixed determination to migrate, not to 
France — from which they considered themselves 
•exiled — but to some more congenial country and 
sympathising people. Lately, as we have seen, 
their number was somewhat increased by a few who 
had come from Pensacola. When word was brought 

186 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 187 

to one of these last, of the unhappy condition of 
Don Diego, he arose and said : " I will take my 
staff and go to him with words of consolation, for 
who can sympathise with him more than I ?" 
Three persons had already gone to Saint Angus- 
tine, and now he was accompanied by three more. 

Franchita's father was liberated and invited to 
the governor's honse. Don Diego spoke feelingly, 
thus: "I repent having ordered the death of 
Francisco. Would that I could recall the deed ? 
All that now remains is repentance. I now beg 
your pardon, before all, for the harm I have done 
you. Grant it, and I will be to you in your old 
age instead of son and daughter." The old man 
extended his hand to the governor, saying : " O, 
senor, forgive me, also, for having offended you." 

For a month that his excellency continued in 
office after this, it was the observation of all per- 
sons, that a notable change had come over him. 
When reviled by his wife, he opened not his mouth, 
until tired of offending one who did not resist, she 



188 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

resumed her obligations and affections. Eesigning' 
all military affairs to Seco — whom he learned to re- 
spect and esteem, nay, to adopt as a son and his heir 
— lie walked among the people like a father In the 
midst of his children. He was ever easy of access 
and administered justice with kindness. Hence- 
forth, to the surprise of his intimate friends, death 
had no terrors for him, and in this manner his 
moral courage was confirmed beyond all doubt. 
Peace and humility marked his footsteps. 

In December, Alvarado's equipage arrived, to- 
gether with the document that installed him gov- 
ernor of Florida. Immediately he proceeded with 
whatever show of parade he could command to the 
fort and demanded the keys of Seco, but that 
officer very justly deferred doing so until he should 
hear from Don Diego, when he would give the 
customary salute to the new governor in recogni- 
tion of his authority. Irritated, however, beyond 
endurance, Alvarado lavished threats and abuses 
against Seco, but seeing he could not prevail upon 
that officer to commit a breach of discipline, he 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 189 

proceeded up to the palace. Don Diego had been 
apprised by these transactions and had already 
made ample arrangements, (with a few friends, 
some of whom had come from the settlement) 
forthwith in a small vessel now ready to sail for 
Cadiz. Though Alvarado, on his entrance, behaved 
very insolently, Don Diego extended every courtesy 
towards him and immediately issued a proclama- 
tion announcing the change of officers. 

In the meantime the vessel had dropped down 
towards the bar, awaiting the arrival of passengers. 
The wind favorable and tide would soon serve. 
Alvarado spent some time in examining the papers 
which had been delivered to him. In doing this 
he came to a list of persons who had been con- 
demned to the dungeon for various crimes and 
misdemeanors, and suddenly he arose, exclaiming : 
" That is the proper place for him — he shall go 
there." He then sallied forth bent upon sending 
Seco to prison. 

Now he found no obstacles. The gate was im- 
mediately open and the garrison received him with 



190 CHEONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

all military honors. His first inquiry Avas for 
Lieutenant Seco. They informed him that the 
lieutenant had just left the shore in a boat to visit 
some friends, who were about to sail in the vessel 
at the bar. As Alvarado looked over the parapet, 
two boats were wending their way across the 
waters. It was a beautiful afternoon and the 
merry waters flashed like molten gold at every 
stroke of the oars. " What means all this," the 
governor exclaimed, " 1 see a lady in the boat." 
The reply was that Lieutenant Seco had accom- 
panied Manasseh's daughter to the boat. If sud- 
denly blasted by lightning Alvarado could not 
have undergone a greater change. It was momen- 
tary however. " Fire a gun," he cried, '' as signal 
to return." A gun was fired, some confusion was 
observed on board of the boats, so much so that 
some observed they were about to put back. But 
once more the oars were plied with redoubled 
vigor in one boat while the other displayed her 
sail and soon distanced her now heavily laden 
partner. Alvarado raved — at one time he ordered 



CHKOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 191 

the batteries to be opened on the boats — but he 
soon countermanded this. He then sent off 
several messengers — some to get boats ready — 
some to enquire for Judith at her father's house. 
He was soon informed that she was not at home, 
that her father feared she had married and eloped 
with Seco. 

The boats being ready, Alvarado threw himself 
in one and soon they were on the course of the 
others. By this time, the passengers, including 
Don Diego and the senora, Seco and Judith, 
Franchita's father and some three or four per- 
sons from Santa Fe, had reached the vessel 
in safety, and now that the tide served, sail 
was made for the bar. After thumping once 
or twice in the channel she got over into 
the open sea and the pilots were dismissed. 
She was bearing under a fine breeze about half a 
league on her course, when Alvarado reached the 
pilots. Cursing their stupidity because they had 
not put back when signalled, he asked who was 
with Lieutenant Seco. They then confirmed the 
fact that Judith was with him in his boat. They 



192 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

stated that Don Diego and his party, who com- 
posed the great majority in the pilot boat, ordered 
them not to obey the signals. "Enough, enough!" 
shouted Alvarado, " sail out to sea !" The sun was 
now setting; Alvarado's boat gained somewhat on 
the vessel, but it was judged hopeless to hold out 
much longer, unless she would heave to. Alvarado 
was pale as a corpse. He stood up at the bow of 
the boat, waving a handkerchief. No regard was 
paid to this and still the vessel held on her way. 
Once, and once only, the men thought they saw 
the waving of something white, from the stern. 
Alvarado, who held a small spy-glass in his hands, 
dropped it suddenly and his whole frame quivered. 
He murmured: "This is too much; too much," 
and with a leap, plunged into the sea and sunk for- 
ever. 

Having disposed of their property in Spain, Don 
Diego and Donna Juanita repaired to England, 
from whence they recrossed the Atlantic to seek a 
home outside of the Spanish dominion, with Seco 
and others, in the hope that liberty of conscience 
coiM be enjoyed in peace with God and man. 



BQDK III. 
CHAPTER L 

EULE AND MISRULE. 

-^T^HE colony, now deprived of an executive 
11 head, in the absence also of' an officer next 
^ in regular succession, fell in charge of a 
council held at the palace, by whom, after mature 
deliberation, the temporary rule was placed in the 
hands of Marino Sanchez, then a private gentle- 
man, but of good military reputation. He began 
his administration under rumors of great turbu- 
lence among the savages of the interior, which 
ranged from Tampa Bay northward — and even ex- 
tended to the settlements. From the commence- 
ment of winter heavy rains had prevailed, which 
soon so flooded the immense low grounds that only 
the slightly elevated piney knolls appeared, like 
9 193 



194 CHKONICLES OF PLOEIDA^ 

islands in a watery waste. As a consequence, the 
subsistence of the tribes became precarious, and 
impelled by famine — like prowling wolves — they 
made inroads wherever they could secure a footing 
or capture food. The settlers became greatly 
alarmed. How to organize military movements in 
that impracticable country, especially at this 
season, or where to locate posts for protection, the 
governor ad interim — with all his known ability — 
found to be beyond his means. He sought for in- 
formation and advice in vain ; even the charts of 
the colony could not be depended on for even a 
partial knowledge of the great interior. In this 
dilemma he was told that the only person that 
could be of service to him was then in the town, 
having been left behind by the late Santa Fe 
visitors. This person was represented as having a 
most extensive influence, not only where he habitu- 
ally resided, but over the greater portion of the 
inland country, both among the whites and savages. 
His excellency, without the least delay, went to 
visit him. When Merceron rose to receive his 



CHROJ^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 19 5 

guest, there stood up one of the most remarkable, 
if not the most august, personages of the age, with 
a look at once apt to strike the beholder with 
awe and reverence. Though aged, as proclaimed 
by long, flowing hair and beard, yet in strong con- 
trast his body exhibited the muscular development 
of mature manhood coupled with the nimbleness 
of youth. His mental faculties were both acute 
and solid; his language, from a richly stored 
memory for words, was uttered with clearness and 
precision in a sonorous, manly voice. The history 
of Merceron was singular : Born of a noble family 
of Normandy, a passion for sport in the open field, 
a thorough disgust for books, fostered by the 
weakness of his mother, who ruled at the chateau, 
kept his teachers from instilling in him methodical 
learning. At length by civil commotions, the 
death and outlawry of his family, he was left when 
still quite young an orphan, not only without a 
friend or support but proscribed by sad heritage in 
the estimation of bigotry. In this strait some good 
Jesuits took him under their protection, whom, as 



196 CHROKICLES OF FLOEIDA. 

he shirked all confinement to religious exercises, he 
repaid with personal services. Even from these he 
would have been dismissed on account of his stolid 
want of conformity but for an unaccountable par- 
tiality on the part of the chief father, who always 
maintained there was some good in the lad. The 
mission of the company extended to the coast of 
Mozambique and thither they led Merceron, who 
by necessity and choice still followed out-door work 
picking up information w^herever he could by inter- 
course and observation. In time all the Jesuits 
learned to love Merceron for they could but observe 
that his actions were devoid of selfishness, his 
chief delight being to minister to the poor, afflicted 
and sick. Personally his great craving was to 
admire the true and beautiful in Nature, to ven- 
erate the sublime in the works of G-od, for this 
raised the mind beyond, to the Great First Cause, 
and towards the attainment of moral worth. He 
in after years ever spoke of the Jesuits with affec- 
tion and profound respect. He parted from them 
at the Cape of Good Hope on the return home- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 197 

wards, but parted with mutual expressions of love 
and good wishes, although they knew that he had 
yielded to the inherent temper of his mind and 
embraced the Lutheran faith. 

Henceforth, without family or worldly ties, he 
wandered at large, as he declared, a " Protestant 
Jesuit," and in fulfilment of a vow he had made 
" in early life, that his efforts should be devoted 
to doing good to man. Strange to say, from all that 
could be learned, in all his rambles, everywhere he 
had met with no serious mishaps, all dangers, all 
obstacles, all intricacies seemed to have yielded to 
him as if he possessed a charmed life. In fact, he 
himself never faltered in the belief that he bore 
in his person the motto of his family : " Shielded 
by God, when in tlie line of duty," and thus he did 
things which in other men would be looked upon as 
imprudent or rash. He ever wore next to his heart, 
a small black cross, from the time it was there 
placed by his friends the Jesuits, both as a gift and 
an appropriate emblem. 

How a communion was maintained among so lit- 



198 CHRON"ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

tie a flock thus scattered in varioiis countries is 
now unknown, yet Merceron liad come to Florida 
to seek out and confirm his countrymen of the 
same faith, who had remained behind after the ces- 
sion to Spain. By them this apostolic man was 
joyfully received everywhere, and everywhere while 
ministering in love, his wants were cheerfully min- 
istered to. His fame, besides, was scattered over the 
territory among the Indians, and his person was 
so well described in the tribes that he could visit 
them at any time and meet a welcome reception. 
His renown had this origin, dating back a few 
years: The most high and powerful chief in the 
peninsula, while on a war path, saw Merceron ap- 
proaching through the forest. From behind an am- 
bush he aimed at the white man four arrows 
(which having been conjured had never missed be- 
fore). Each in succession stuck in the ground at 
the feet of the assailed, who deliberately stooped, 
picked them up and carried them to the concealed 
foe, who stood now stupified, trembling and wor- 
shipping. Henceforth, believed invulnerable and 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 191^ 

sacred, walking in goodness and mercy, no Indian 
could be prevailed upon to approach him but in 
kindness, while he could go everywhere with im- 
punity. 

When, therefore, the acting-governor had made 
known his difficulites, and appealed for direction 
or aid, Merceron undertook the task to attempt a 
pacification. He might have quoted what was 
taught at Salamanca, Veni ! Vicli ! Vici! for he 
succeeded in an incredibly short period and all dis- 
content was removed ; in what mode is not revealed, 
but some averred, among other means of persuasion 
he indicated to the tribes — from his superior know- 
ledge how and where to procure food — where they 
could get unexpected supplies of molusks, how 
terrapins could be raised from their hybernation, 
when schools of fish would ascend the streams, 
called attention to the palm-cabbage and a peculiar 
bulb root, indicated where the deer would likely 
gather during the freshet, how to set traps for birds, 
and other matters. 

The pacification being effected; on the part of the 



200 CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 

Indians they were not to pass certain fixed boun- 
daries ; on the part of the government a certain 
fixed supply of molasses should be sent to the 
chiefs at stated periods. Merceron having returned 
and reported to Senor Sanchez, that officer, thank- 
ing him for his services (for Merceron would 
receive no reward) cordially approved of all that 
had been done. 

During the same interim, while awaiting advice 
from Cuba, a courier arrived in haste with intelli- 
gence still more alarming than the preceeding 
troubles with the Indians. He brought official 
reports of marauders having penetrated from the 
north into the country near Fernandina and the 
mouth of the Saint John river and driven the set- 
tlers before them. In the panic, which his excel- 
lency simply pitied. Captain Santarem offered to 
raise a volunteer company to go at once against the 
English invaders. No soldiers could be spared 
from the fort, so this offer was accepted to allay 
the existing panic and to reassure the frontier 
settlers of protection. The patriotic ardor — nay. 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 201 

military ambition — of Santarem was so buoyant, 
that he almost wished himself a thunderbolt to 
reach the scene of action, and consequently hur- 
ried the departure of the force without proper 
preparation, yet, as far as the men were concerned, 
it was composed of rather good material, for the 
rest it was poorly equipped and provisioned. San- 
tarem, however, thought they could depend for 
supplies on the route and partly on the chase and 
fisheries. Among other arms they carried quite a 
number of rusty escojjefas to supply the settlers. 

The route extended from Palatka, at first by 
boats down the river, and thence overland to a 
block house built of palmettos, as recommended by 
a Frenchman, near the frontier. On the river they 
had much sport with the alligators and sharks that 
were encountered on the way. The land travel, 
chosen for greater secrecy, began and continued 
with many difficulties. The force passed through 
sandy plains redundant of briars and" thorny plants, 
through stifling pine forests that dropped ticks on 
the person, through interlaced fallen palmettos 



202 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

lying in inextricable maze and tied together by- 
clinging vines. Beneath, were innumerable snakes 
and other reptiles; above, the men had to fight 
swarms of mosquitos and gnats without cessation. 
At last after sloAvly plodding, sore and harrassed, 
they arrived at the block honse, and even there 
they could not rest till it was somewhat cleared of 
vermin and scorpions. 

The Captain sent out scouts in every direction to 
feel for the enemy. These were all infantry and 
spent most of the time smoking their pipes. 
Recently, however, a daring horsewoman had 
volunteered her services. Inez Campo, now aged 
22 years, had been an orphan consigned to the cold 
charity of strangers, and trained from an early age 
to woodcraft and the care of horses and cattle, yet 
with all this rough usage, her correct behavior, 
fearless self-possession and refined feelings always 
commanded respect from her employers and others. 
She rode her" accustomed horse in cavalier style 
and showed to advantage, with a gracefully sym- 
metrical person, supple in every limb, a small 



CHKO'N'ICLES OF FLOKIDA. 203 

Spanish liut, a flowing mantle, a pistol and cutlass 
by her side. But when, on nearer look, her large 
black eyes and perfectly chiseled month appeared, 
no one could refuse the praise that she might be 
termed the " Pride of Florida." 

Without hesitation, she rode directly into the 
camp of Captain Turner, the commander of the 
English force, waving as she came, a white scarf. 
He saluted her, courteously, and said : ^' Are your 
warriors women ?" " No, Senor Capitano, only 
one." To which he added, " Then you are the first 
and best of them." She simply remarked, " You 
flatter me." After a brief and rapid scrutiny the 
captain asked, "How can I serve so charming a 
messenger ?" "• By avoiding the shedding of blood 
and respecting the territory of Spain," she told 
him. After a pause, in deep thought, the reply 
came, '' I will give up all Florida for you." " Are 
these your only terms ?" said she. Captain Turner 
then very feelingly spoke: "Yes, and honestly 
meant, if you will accept." To which she replied : 
" Perform your part ; I will see you again, if you 



304 CHKOmCLES OF FLORIDA. 

are in the same mind." Without another word, 
Inez immediately turned her horse around, and 
putting spurs dashed away through the forest. 
What had transpired, her modesty would not allow 
to be reported at headquarters, so she at once 
retired home, resolved to abandon the life of an 
amateur scout. 

On the next morning she saw by the direction of 
the smoke that the English camp was on fire, and 
soon learned that its occupants had retired beyond 
the frontier. Thus Inez, who was the heroine of 
the campaign of a battle fought without bloodshed 
— victorious, though now a voluntary prisoner — 
became in due time the wife of Captain Turner. 
But, like many other meritorious persons, her 
laurels won in military life were gladly appropriat- 
ed by those not entitled to them. Santarem 
showed himself an apt disciplinarian and diplomat- 
ist of the late governor's training by appropriating 
all credit, whether due or not, to himself. By his 
dictation his amanuensis wrote as follows to the 
government: "A report of our advance in battle 



CHR015ri€LES OF FLORIDA. 205 

array having reached the enemy, he became very 
alarmed, set fire to his works and retreated with 
the utmost precipitation. When the smoke of his 
camp was seen, we pressed on with ardor, hoping 
to meet at least some stragglers whom we might 
chastise. Our troops rushed forward shouting, 
•" Santiago ! Fuego, fuego ! Ingleses, Ingleses !' 
But when we entered, not a soul remained, they 
had all deserted on the bold advance of Castile y 
Leon." Yet it must be noted, though indications 
of the new encampment of the enemy were dis- 
tinctly seen at a spot about less than half a league 
off, and though the line of the frontier was by no 
means well fixed, Santarem would not pursue him. 
After leaving about twenty men at the block house, 
as a rallying point for the settlers, Santarem 
.started on his march to town. Two or three hours 
afterwards, the report of a gun, followed by the 
:appearance of a deer .that . bounded away from a 
thicket, caused the commander to order the locality 
to be instantly surrounded. The party came up to 
a very athletic man, who having just discharged his 



206 CHRONICLES OF FLOEIDA. 

gun, threw up liis hands in token of surrender. 
He proved to be an Irishman, Odomio (sic.) by 
name, who had wandered from the marauder's 
camp and been lost in the forest during the past 
, day and night. The captain now exulted beyond 
bounds for this capture of a prisoner of war to 
grace his triumphant return. He attempted to 
treat Odonno with studied arrogance and harshness 
— but the latter received all with mirthful mimi- 
cry, ludicrous remarks, or boisterous laughter. 
When they had reached Saint Augustine, Odonno, 
still domiciled with Santarem for safe keeping and 
support, his chief service consisted in bearing pre- 
sents of fruits, fish, flowers and rose-colored billets 
to a certain Senora Leonardo, ( a widow ) the 
affianced of the captain. Some who were fond of 
a joke, said this was done in imitation of a re- 
nowned demi-historical character — Don Quixote — 
of whom the captain had heard in his youth, and 
that Odonno was deputed as a vanquished giant to 
present letters of love, composed by a hired scribe 
in grandoliquent style, to the vast delight of the 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 207 

loYer. In a short time, through the patronage and 
intercession of the priest, the Irishman was en- 
larged on parole and allowed to resort to such 
private means of self support as presented, among 
which was an engagement as pugilist — no unneces- 
sary office — to the head gambler of the town. 

Santarem, who habitually frequented the tables, 
still affected to regard the Irishman as a conquered 
vassal — even sd*far as on one occasion to kick him,, 
the latter immediately returned a well planted 
blow, which not only disabled the captain but 
drew a profusion of blood. Parted for the moment, 
Odonno was challenged to fight a duel to the death 
at early dawn, the gambler, nothing loath, being 
chosen for his second. The terms were simply 
that the parties should meet at the appointed place 
and time, armed with sabres of their own respective 
choice, the combat to begin at sight. There was 
in the establishment a sword said to have belonged 
to a Knight of Malta and kept merely as an object 
of curiosity; it was well tempered, heavy, of un- 
usual length and breadth of blade, and few men 



308 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

besides Odonno could handle it easily. When 
Santarem drew near the scene of combat he saw 
his antagonist approaching through the chaparal, 
like a tornado, before whom every object, bush and 
branch were flying through the air as the sabre cut 
around, far-reaching and with great velocity. San- 
tarem cast a glance at his own sabre, then at 
Odonuo's, dropped his weapon and commenced 
running away at full speed. The combat was over, 
but the news reached town before the principals. 

On arriving home, Odonno received an invitation 
to call on the senora, who was anxious to learn the 
particulars of the combat, but he would say 
nothing in disparagement of his antagonist. She, 
on the contrary, remarked : " He cannot now win 
the widow of a brave officer a lapunta de su espada," 
— at the point of his sword. To which he archly 
asked, " If he can't, can anyone else ?" The reply 
was, "You have never tried." He then declared 
his utter aversion to a marriage with her, but 
that, if she chose, he would give Captain Santarem 
a chance to retrieve his honor and gain her hand. 



CHROKICLES OF FLORIDA. 209 

In her fury she uttered many threats, and through 
her influence, the result was another duel. In this 
the terms were that the combatants Avere to be 
placed at a distance of sixty paces and armed with 
pistols, to march towards each other at the word, 
and fire at will and at any distance. Odonno. who 
had a good insight into human nature, after he 
had taken some twenty steps, stopped and delib- 
erately aimed, which act Santarem imitated 
and at once fired, without hitting the person. 
Odonno, haying reserved his shot, marched up ta 
the captain and placing his pistol by his head for 
one brief moment, then lowering it said, with em- 
phasis, "Take your life and the old woman." 
Santarem then said, "Senor, your w^orship has 
saved my life three times, give me your hand." 
" Here it is," was the reply, " and remember, an 
Irishman carries his heart in his hand !" 

These occurences took place soon after a new 
governor had been sent from Cuba. To the great 
regret of the good people of the colony, the rule of 
the governor ad interim had proved of too brief a 



:210 CHROIs'ICLES OF FLORIDA. 

duration, for during its continuance good order 
and security were maintained with consumate 
ability. The incoming governor had acquired a 
renown at Caraccas, in a career half piratical and 
half banditti, that is : by robbing the inhabitants 
of their gold and silver plate and the merchants at 
«ea of their goods. He was overbearing, pompous, 
■difficult of access by the people, whom he ruled 
through his menials. He soon, however, gave place 
to a successor, because the colony was not large 
■enough for his ambition. Very little of interest 
can be recorded of the public acts of the officers of 
fhe place. The time was passed in a useless dis- 
play of rank and decorations, in festivities and 
military pageants. 

In the meantime the commerce of Florida was 
much reduced, the exportations had almost ceased, 
while the colony was merely held as an advanced 
military possession, whose chief supplies came by 
the way of Cuba. The principal inhabitants spent 
much time in gambling, cock-fighting and danc- 
ing, yet, strange to say, in the midst of these dis- 



CHRO^^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 211 

sipations drunkenness was rarely noticed. Gambl- 
ing led to a few assasinations at night, and rival ry 
at the balls to a few duels — mostly with knives — 
for firearms were not fancied. Although the sea 
wall was repaired and the fort well mounted, the 
people were under constant panics for fear of in- 
•cursions by the English, who it was said, had 
emissaries among the savages as reported by some 
traders, who under the rules and regulations of the 
Council of the Indies, were licensed to traffic in 
the interior. 



CHAPTER II, 

]^0R want of better occupation, a spirit of 
intolerance began to be manifested by the 
government, and once more was heard the 
cry of hereticos, which it was believed had died out 
within this sparsely peopled colony. Some invalu- 
able immigrants thought proper, therefore, to make 
preparation for a change of residence in order to 
flee from threatened persecutions or confiscations ; 
chief among whom was that apostolic man, Mer- 
ceron, who early foresaw the necessity to provide for 
the exodus of his little flock. The alarm increased 
W'hen it became known that a sharp lawyer, of a 
class that live by fomenting dissentions among 
men, had undertaken to institute prying investiga- 
tions in the interest of the government and clergy~,. 
and even now, like a venomous spider, was spread- 
ing his nets in every direction to catch his expected: 

212 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 213 

yictims. He was ready to act when quite a large 
margin of property was confided to his hands for 
sale and transfer. 

The two men engaged for the survey of the 
extensive Arredondo land, while awaiting for ad- 
ditional means and force, now boarded, in common 
with others, at the house of Pierre Menard, 
situated at the southeast angle of the plaza. In 
the capacious upper room of this large stone 
structure the proprietor kept his school during the 
day, but at night it was strung with hammocks for 
a dormitory. Here, also, at stated periods met a 
small coterie of choice spirits, whose delight was 
music, recitations from French and Spanish authors 
or other pastimes. 

Pierre Menard, a provincal by birth, was gifted 
with all the fire and much of the poetical ecstacy 
of the Troubadours, but it was evident, from pru- 
dential considerations, he ever maintained the 
dignified restraint of the better class of Spaniards, 
except, indeed, when in the midst of intimate 
friends. In early life forced to wander beyond the 



214 CHEONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

Pyrenees, to travel he knew not whither, because- 
he would not yield to the dictates of the majority^ 
he ever declared he had realized the blessing that 
God takes an especial care of strangers. Truly he 
had reached Florida in penury — but with peace in 
his heart -and a Greek Testament in his pocket. 
After teaching awhile, he succeeded in collecting 
through various sources such works as those of 
Florian, Cervantes, Moliere and others. He was 
subject to a species of nostalgia whenever any of the 
odes or lyrics of his native land was repeated in 
his presence; then no regal court, with all its. 
noblemen and beauties, could in his estimation 
compare with the shepherds and shepherdesses of 
his youth, no festivities, no enjoyments equal to. 
theirs. The following lines from Florian always 
brought tears down his rugged cheeks : 

*' Ye beautiful trees that now remind me 
Of those on which my hands inscribed Estella." 

He had been married for more than twenty years- 
to the daughter of a French gentleman of Tomoka^ 
but this lady, though one of the meekest and most 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 215 

refined of women, had nothing to remind him of 
his shepherdesses but the name of Ermine. They 
were the parents of two daughters and a son. 
Their society was peculiarly agreeable to those, 
who, like themselves, had drifted from their native 
soil. De Lerida became so passionately fond of 
Isadore that he began to look upon himself as 
already adopted into the family. 

Occasionally there came a few boarders whose 
habits or tastes were far from being acceptable, but 
— for prudential considerations — Menard could not 
exclude all such. One of them was a Morisco, 
named Safet, who had been the servant of Governor 
Alvarado ; the other was an Italian, who proved to 
be a spy brought over by the present governor. In 
a moment of intoxication the Morisco had revealed 
his knowledge of a considerable treasure that 
belonged to him and was buried on the southern 
coast. But when he pointedly refused to share 
with Mancini, the latter made a report, with many 
additions, to the rapacious governor. 

In the dead hour of night Safet was taken out 



216 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

of bed and conveyed to the dungeon of the fort ; 
but there no promises or threats could wring the 
secret from him ; indeed, no harsh treatment could 
"Crush the free born spirit of this son of the desert. 
The only admission they could ever gain from him 
was to this effect : The treasure was buried by two 
joint and equal owners, with the full understand- 
ing that at the death of either the survivor should 
take it all. 

Incarceration in a place so damp and foul 
brought on sickne^ to Safet, and eventually im- 
paired the use of his limbs. Being so disabled, 
the commander allowed him the tree air of the 
open court. Now, whether this was effected 
through bribes or not it matters not, nevertheless 
his further liberation was by bribes given the 
guards when he was taken out in the disguise of a 
sick washwoman — the wife of one of them. With 
secrecy, at nightfall, he was carried up the river in 
a canoe, and thence to the Oamina del rey ; there 
a conveyance was in readiness to convey him by 
nightly stages to the hacienda of De Blanton, the 



CHEONICLES OF FLORIDA. 217 

father-in-law of Menard, at Tomoko. The authori- 
ties of St. Augustine could find no clue to the 
escape of Safet, except his iron anklets, some cast 
off clothes and a pair of old shoes, adrift in a canoe 
in the harbor. 

The residence of the Sieur Valverde de Blanton 
was situated in one of the most charming localities 
on the coast, haying a fine water prospect. The 
house itself, with its many pillars supporting a 
moderately low roof, appeared embowered in the 
midst of immense oaks that bore long trails of 
grey mosses that waved in every passing breeze. 
To the right and left extended orchards of oranges, 
lemons, figs and other fruit trees, separated from 
■each other by hedges of cactus and approached by 
long alleys of evergreens. Evidences of scientific 
culture could be seen in the selection and arrange- 
ment of choice, botanical specimens, most of v\^hich 
were indigenous. 

His pedigree, of which he never boasted, certain- 
ly extended to one of the Xorman conquerors of 
the Byzantine Empire, and besides, he was allied 
10 



218 CHKOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 

by marriage to the liistoric family of Conde. This 
lady, whom he tenderly loved, had died some 
seventeen years past, leaving in his charge two 
daughters and a son. The domestic arrangements 
of this family would have been entirely disrupted 
had it not been for the kind services of an elderly 
housekeeper who had followed its fortunes for 
more than thirty years and become endeared there- 
in. Too much cannot be said of the self-sacrific- 
ing devotion of Celestina and of her enlarged 
faith. She was reputed as descended in the third 
generation from one of the companions of Colum- 
bus and the daughter of a cacique of Cuba. The 
other persons now residing at the hacienda were 
Jose — the slave of a late governor — his wife and 
some three or four children. 

After the retrocession of Florida to Spain, De 
Blanton and other refugees still remained in the 
colony. His leisure moments were spent in the 
study of metaphysics, natural history and me- 
chanics in all of which he was by no means a mere 
amateur. Indeed, the exiles of this class who had 



CHROJ^ICLES OF FLORIDA. 219 

passed southward through Spain were, on the 
whole, people of moral worth and superior attain- 
ments. Many of them were scattered in this 
colony, where their orderly conduct, their retired, 
industrious habits, gained the tolerance, at least, 
of the authorities for a long period. 

At a house in this vicinity, built of shell lime- 
iStone, but of only one story — to avoid the frequent 
storms — dwelt an Englishman, Glover, the husband 
of the elder daughter of De Blanton, with an only 
daughter, Estella, now about eighteen 3^ears of age. 
Glover's history was also singular ; rescued from a 
wreck near Cartagena — supposed, whether true or 
not, to have belonged to the fleet of Admiral Ver- 
non, long the dread of that coast — and at so early 
an age that he only recollected the name of Jack 
Glover and a few English words, he was brought 
up by Spaniards, so as to forget most of the past, 
yet in all things else he was still English, which 
describes him fully. What shall be said of Estella 
— beloved and loving Estella ! 

Though Safet had regained much of his health 



220 CHROiTICLES OF FLORIDA. 

it became very evident that his crippled condition- 
was permanent and would interfere with the use- 
fulness of his person in any avocation. In grati- 
tude he surrendered his right to the treasure to 
those who had saved him as a dear brother, on 
condition that he should be at their charge for the 
balance of his life. He then imparted to De 
Blanton, Menard and Glover, the exact bearings 
that would lead them to the treasure. These men 
accepted the trust with the proviso that the con- 
templated migration and settlement should be 
promoted, the feeble and old be assisted, the young 
educated and the larger portion devoted in the 
cause of civil and religious liberty — freedom of 
conscience. 

A few Indians from the mainland came over at 
times to this settlement, partly for the purpose of 
trade, but mainly through gratitude for past ser- 
vices or the kind receptions extended to them by 
Celestina. whom they venerated as princess born. 
But the most frequent visitor among them was- 
Poetla, the chief of a small village, formerly situ- 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 221 

ated some leagues from Palatka, which had been 
broken up by. the Spaniards and its people driven 
into the interior by arms and bloodhounds ; Poetla, 
when pursued, bleeding and wretched, in the last 
throes of despair had been rescued at great risk by 
De Blanton and Glover, and properly cared for till 
he could regain the tribe in their new hunting 
ground. The devotion of this Indian knew no 
bounds. 

After awhile, the search for Saf et proving useless, 
the government abandoned its further prosecution. 
It was then that Mancini conceived the project to 
secure the treasure for his exclusive benefit, but 
being of great credulity and very superstitious, he 
knew no better plan than to seek the conjuration 
of one of those negresses, so common in the colonies 
— the reputed adepts in African mysteries and 
occult practices. She lived in seclusion, as usual 
with her class, in a spot rather difficult of access, 
on the sliores of the Mari-Sanchez. This woman, 
after many incantations with a black cock, a black 
cat, a black snake and a carrion crovv^, at length 



222 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

resorted to disgusting jugglery with more revolting 
objects. In conclusion, slie declared that awful 
spells had been pronounced oyer the treasure for 
its security, which could only be dispelled by cer- 
tain ceremonies, charms and amulets to guard 
against danger and ensure success. Her demands 
in money were so large that she counselled Mancini 
to raise it through a party duly sworn to secrecy. 
The wreck, of which the debris still existed ashore, 
pretty well indicated the locality to be searched, 
which she assigned to an area of nxed dimensions 
as determined from questions propounded to Jose. 
Over this space the party to be formed were to 
march in open order, thrusting pikes into the 
sand as they went, but at midnight, in profound 
silence, (for a word spoken would instantly dissolve 
the charm) until the coffer was struck and lifted 
from its bed ; this injunction was to be strictly 
observed. All this Mancini received in implicit 
faith and proceeded forthwith to form a club of 
some base associates. 

It was deemed best by De Blanton first to clear 



CHKOKICLES OF FLORIDA. 223 

the beach of these prospectors before acting in the 
interest of Safet and others. So, when Mancini 
came with a number of men, ostensibly for the 
purpose of fishing and gunning on the coast, when 
they pitched their tent for the night, about bed- 
time a ship on fire suddenly sailed on the land 
and discharged a broadside towards the camp. 
This display of pyrotechnic art from behind one of 
the sand hills, magnified by fear and superstition, 
so frightened the group that they instantly retreat- 
ed and could not be induced to remain, firmly of 
opinion that the Tigre de la Mar had come to 
defend his treasure. But in a few days more the 
conjuress counselled them to make a second at- 
tempt under more potent spells, the main one was 
for each man to burn a lock of his hair on march- 
ing out to the ground. All went well till they had 
reached a place where a caboose had been purposely 
buried, which returned a hollow sound to the pikes. 
At that instant the sudden appearance of Poetla, 
adorned Avith antlers and covered with phorescent 
oil, so surprised them, that one exclaimed " Ave 



JB24 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

Maria !" and so broke the charm. Poetla as sud- 
denly disappeared. At a safe distance the party- 
broke up, at enmity, and threatened the life of him 
who had first spoken when the treasure was — as 
they thought — almost within their grasp. All 
attempt at renewing the search was then at an end. 
When the treasure was brought to the house of 
Glover it was found not to exceed two hundred 
thousand pesos in value. 

Two days after this there was joy in the settle- 
ment when Merceron, with certain elders and 
friends, was seen approaching. All who could, ran 
out to meet him. He bore important news, and 
letters from brethren, some of their former asso- 
ciates, now quietly setted in the vicinity of Port 
Eoyal. Cordial invitations and many inducements 
were offered to urge their immediate migration 
thither. One letter, that from Col. Turner, was as 
warm as it was unexpected. Merceron had secured 
three haciendas on the route under the respective 
charge of friends, ]^)upre, Garnet and Langlois, to 
transfer those present as also others from Santa Fe. 



CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 225 

Senor Sanchez had also agreed to purchase the 
habitations at a fair valuation, so that nothing noAV 
remained to interfere with the exodus beyond the 
boundary, save what hindrance might be thrown in 
the way by the government, which was not now 
to be anticipated. 

Having said this much, Merceron proceeded in 
the open air to call around him the convocation of 
elders and brethren. " We are here assembled," 
he began, " to show to men by what test the true 
church is to be known. This test is not zeal but 
Jove, love in the bond of unity, so that opponents 
can only say, 'Behold, how they love oue another I ' 
In this let us walk in God, with God in us. Who- 
ever knows that God is love must love his fellow 
mei]. It has been said, 'Ye are the salt of the 
earth,' then go forth, as a preservative element to 
social progress, but let your influence be felt as the 
gentle dew of Heaven. Go forth, now, and add 
your agency to whatever is promotive of good in 
the development of a great and holy people on this 
continent. Other matters will come for your 






226 CHRONICLES OF FLORIDA. 

consideration before we leave for tlie north country. 
Kow we have formally to receive five members into 
our fold, after an examination by two elders. In 
the meantime, I will proceed to unite in marriage 
these two young brethren, now present, to two 
granddaughters of our brother De Blanton." 

After this ceremony, Merceron concluded thus : 
^^ And here admonished by the approach of age, 
and the wishes and necessities of this little flock, I 
resign my wandering life in the hope that I may be 
approved by God and man as a faithful pastor. 
And, my beloved flock, when my eyelids close in 
death, let my humble remains be buried beneath a 
palmetto tree, with this verse inscribed above the 
grave : 

" * Wise as serjjents, hut innocent as doves.'' " 

FINIS. 



'^'CCr^^ 



